Current Status and Strategies for Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

A new concept and definition for metabolic syndrome pronounced in 2005 in Japan elucidated the importance of abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. Until then, treatment and research for obesity might be a minor and an unsolved field in both internal medicine and pediatrics. Especially in pediatrics, we were educated and we also sent messages based on personal experience and/or information because of the paucity of evidence. Are the following messages true for recent Japanese children and adolescents?
1. Childhood and adolescent obesity has been increasing.
2. Childhood obesity will disappear after entering school.
3. Do not worry about mild obesity.
4. Childhood obesity is mainly associated with maternal obesity.
5. There is no concern about metabolic syndrome in pediatrics.
6. It is difficult to treat obesity in both the adult and pediatric population.
The author presents the current status and strategies for obesity and metabolic syndrome based on the recently obtained evidences in pediatric population.