Overview
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of obesity among adolescents ages 12 to 19 has soared in recent decades, from 5% in 1980 to 16% in 2002. Recent neuroendocrinologic research may help to explain the complexity of obesity and help providers develop more effective weight-loss strategies. Combining medical intervention with an individualized cognitive-behavioral program is the best approach for adolescents. Accompanying sidebars examine several such programs and provide additional resources for clinicians.