Current therapeutic strategies in treating obesity in children and adolescents - review of the literature.

The present paper is a review of current knowledge concerning the most appropriate strategy in the conservative therapy of obese children and adolescents. It presents an account of the combined mode of therapy consisting of behavioral and dietary counseling with appropriate physical activity (also using the support of modern media and devices). The rise in obesity is usually a long-lasting process involving genetic predispositions but also environmental factors which can be modified. The treatment of obesity should be focused on these modified factors and be a lifelong treatment, not merely a short period of exercise or a diet program. Successful therapy depends on the cooperation of the medical team with children and their parents or caregivers.