Medicinski Glasnik Specijalne Bolnice za Bolesti Štitaste Žlezde i Bolesti Metabolizma "Zlatibor" (Jan 2022)

Childhood obesity

  • Jandrić-Kočić Marijana,
  • Selmanović Senada

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5937/mgiszm2284026J
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 27, no. 84
pp. 26 – 68

Abstract

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According to the International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revision, ICD-11, obesity is classified as an endocrine disease, dietary and metabolic disease (ICD-XI; E66). It is a chronic multifactorial disease accompanied by abnormal or excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses a health risk. The World Health Organization describes the epidemic of childhood obesity as: "One of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century". According to the same, 41 million children under the age of 5 and 340 million children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 are overweight or obese. Obesity can have a significant impact on health, well-being (social and psychological) and self-esteem of the child. It is associated with poor academic performance and the lower quality of life a child experiences. An obese child requires an individually tailored multidisciplinary approach. Diagnosis requires a thorough clinical examination that identifies the etiology of obesity, comorbidities present, eating habits, physical activity, social, family, and psychological factors that predispose obesity, readiness, and motivation for treatment. Obesity therapy primarily aims to permanently change the child's eating habits and lifestyle.

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