Adolescent Obesity

Obesity is a widely prevalent form of malnutrition, and it constitutes a significant health hazard in the United States. The prevalence of adolescent obesity is increasing at a disturbing rate, and obesity during adolescence is likely to persist into adulthood. The etiology of adolescent obesity is diverse and multifactorial, and, until recently, treatment for this disease has been woefully inadequate. In this article, the etiology and consequences of adolescent obesity are examined, and recommendations for treatment are discussed.