The role of family doctor in management of overweight and obese children and adolescents

The children and adolescents obesity is one of the most important public health problems. The prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents is increasing in our country as in other European countries. Overweight and obese children are likely to stay obese into adulthood and more likely to develop cardiovascular diseases or diabetes. The majority of the overweight and obese children can be diagnosed, monitored and treated by the family doctors. Our intended purpose is to help family doctors with practical tools for the identification and management of overweight and obese children. The most recent recommendations regarding prevention of childhood obesity focus on increased exercise and improved diet to prevent childhood obesity. Intensive lifestyle modification remains the primary treatment of the children obesity. The family doctors must know how to prevent the development of overweight and obese complications.