Pharmacological management of obese child
- Correspondence to Dr Neil Peter Wright, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TH, UK; N.P.Wright{at}sheffield.ac.uk
- Received 1 May 2012
- Revised 13 February 2013
- Accepted 14 February 2013
- Published Online First 8 March 2013
Abstract
Childhood overweight and obesity are increasingly common management problems for clinicians. This review focuses on the pharmacological management of obesity in children. It considers historical treatments, the options currently available (principally orlistat and metformin) and some potential future therapeutic interventions. The short term psychological effect of obesity and longer term health impact are discussed. The clinical settings in which drug treatment may be appropriate, the importance of lifestyle interventions, and the evidence and clinical guidance that underpin their use are discussed.
