Obesity and Children

Dr. Kenneth Kak Yuen WONG - Council Member, HKOS

Childhood obesity is now an increasing problem worldwide. Indeed, approximately 3% of children and adolescents in the UK have severe obesity. A similar trend is seen in Hong Kong. The incidence of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, hyperinsulinism and hyperlipidaemia and fatty liver approaches 20% in such individuals. Overweight and obesity represent a rapidly growing threat to both physical and psychological health of children. One of the key concerns about childhood obesity is that it tracks into adult life.

Given the high proportion of children and adolescents who are obese, we as doctors for children should face this new problem in our young population and tackle it in an effective way.

At all levels of obesity, although lifestyle modifications and lifestyle interventions are fundamental to management, involvement with specialist centres is also essential. Similar to the adult population, we have now formed a multi-disciplinary team to provide obese children and their family appropriate support and therapeutic options. It is hoped that we can catch this potential endemic at the early stage to give these children long-term benefits.