Health-Related Quality of Life of Severely Obese Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Obesity is one of the most common chronic disorders in childhood and its prevalence continues to increase rapidly. There is a growing awareness of the long-term health complications of obesity in children and adolescents, yet many pediatricians do not offer treatment to obese children and adolescents in the absence of comorbid conditions.¹ However, the most widespread consequences of childhood obesity may be psychosocial.² Obese children and adolescents are at risk for psychological and social adjustment problems, including lower perceived competencies than normative samples on social, athletic, and appearance domains, as well as overall self-worth.³