Pediatric Obesity: A Large Problem Looming Over the Pediatric Population – an Even Bigger Problem for Adult Populations

This chapter is a first-hand account of the struggles we, as pediatric providers, are facing regarding pediatric obesity. Medical leaders are quick to urge the creation of centers to provide treatment for obesity but are reluctant to allocate the necessary funds. This problem is worldwide, worsening, and leading to unhealthy adults. How, as pediatric providers, can we ignore this ever-increasing problem? This chapter goes on to illustrate a typical case (reminiscent of adult medicine, yet increasingly common in the pediatric milieu), then reviews the diagnostic criteria and current management strategies based on the most recent 2023 American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. Other considerations (such as the stigma of obesity and eating disorders) are discussed, and the chapter concludes by opining on future directions. Pediatric obesity is a precursor that must be addressed in the pediatric sector, where prevention is the only hope of staving off the serious ramifications of an unhealthy adult population.