BMI: body mass index; GLP-1: glucagon-like peptide 1; HBLT: health behavior and lifestyle treatment.
* HBLT includes:
¶ Greater intensity of counseling generally improves efficacy. The type and frequency of counseling should be selected collaboratively with the family, and the family should select a treatment path that they feel is feasible. Intensive treatment refers to length and frequency of visits and does not imply increased pressure or focus on dieting. If it is not possible to provide the necessary contact hours in the primary care setting, the primary care clinician still has an important role in overseeing longitudinal care and guiding the family to optimal care through community programs or consultants.
Δ Comorbidity screening depends on weight class and other risk factors; refer to UpToDate content on clinical evaluation of childhood obesity and related table.
◊ For pharmacotherapy, regulatory approvals for these drugs and the AAP guideline include class I obesity (BMI ≥95th percentile or ≥30 kg/m2). However, due to need for long-term treatment, high costs, and limited availability, we generally use a severe obesity threshold to select adolescents who might benefit from pharmacotherapy.
§ Severe obesity is defined as BMI ≥120% of the 95th percentile or ≥35 kg/m2 (whichever is lower). This corresponds to approximately the 98th percentile or BMI Z-score ≥2.2 (ie, 2.2 standard deviations above the mean) on the CDC extended BMI charts. Severe obesity is the threshold for considering weight loss surgery in the presence of comorbidities.
¥ This combination of services is most readily available in a comprehensive multidisciplinary weight management program.