WHO Issues First Global Guidelines on Child and Adolescent Obesity

The World Health Organization (WHO) has published its inaugural global guidelines focused on the significant increase in obesity among children and adolescents. These new recommendations offer guidance to healthcare professionals on how to deliver timely, evidence-based, and person-centered care, addressing a growing public health concern.

As of 2024, an estimated 170 million children and adolescents aged 5–19 years were living with obesity. This figure includes 70 million children aged 5–9 years and 100 million adolescents aged 10–19 years. The prevalence of obesity in this age group has quadrupled since 1990, rising from 2% to 8% globally.

Obesity is characterized as a chronic and relapsing disease that requires effective management. Its consequences can manifest early in life, increasing the risk of noncommunicable diseases, particularly type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Children and adolescents living with obesity may also face stigma, discrimination, and bullying, impacting their mental well-being. Preventing and managing obesity is therefore crucial for safeguarding their overall health and development.

The WHO strongly recommends structured interventions related to diet, physical activity, and behavioral change for children and adolescents with obesity. The guidelines advise against pharmacological treatment or bariatric surgery for children aged 0–9 years. For adolescents aged 10–19 years, medication or bariatric surgery may be considered under strict conditions if multimodal lifestyle programs have not yielded desired results. The guidelines also highlight the importance of addressing mental health in conjunction with obesity management.