Obesity is an important paediatric problem that paediatricians and endocrinologists should address together

Abstract

The increasing incidence of obesity in children and adolescents with its negative health consequences is one of the global problems of paediatrics and paediatric endocrinology. Approaches to the management of obese children are being developed and scientific and practical programmes for prevention and treatment are being established. Correctly assessing the risks of obesity in the long term and knowing how to influence them can help to reduce these risks. The primary care physician's priority is to make a diagnosis of overweight and obesity in children and to determine appropriate screening and treatment according to current clinical guidelines and known scientific evidence. The aim of this review is to briefly describe the risk factors, current epidemiological features of obesity and to provide a primary screening plan for children with exogenous obesity to assist the practicing paediatrician and paediatric endocrinologist.