The value of weight control in children and adolescents
The increased rate of overweight in childhood and adolescence is a major public health problem in Western societies, with Greece, among them, occupying one of the first places in Europe. Unfortunately, obesity does not “go away” with age, but an obese child has a very high chance of becoming an obese adult.
However, the negative effects of increased body weight do not only concern adult life, but are evident from childhood and are related both to the child’s physical health [early puberty, hypertension, hyperlipidemia (increased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides), diabetes mellitus, etc.] and to his social life (stigma, bullying).
Therefore, prevention of the onset of obesity, as well as its early diagnosis and treatment, are of key importance.
Pediatricians should assess the body weight and length/height of children at every visit, from the child’s infancy, and use the appropriate growth curves to assess their weight and its course over time.
The Athens Pediatric Center provides comprehensive services for the assessment and treatment of increased body weight in children and adolescents, in collaboration with informed and experienced professionals and scientists.
The individualized treatment of the child and his family has as its ultimate goal the adoption of new habits and behaviors in matters of nutrition and physical activity, creating a supportive environment for the achievement and long-term maintenance of a healthy body weight and a healthier lifestyle overall.
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