Addressing psychosocial health in the treatment and care of adolescents with obesity

Obesity affects 158 million youth worldwide and is associated with psychosocial comorbidity. This review describes weight management options utilized by adolescents, including both self-directed weight loss and medically supervised obesity treatment interventions, and associated psychosocial impacts. A majority of adolescents with obesity attempt to manage weight on their own, primarily through attempting weight loss, sometimes with supplement use. Approaches such as these are associated with a degree of risk, disordered eating behaviors, and further weight gain. In contrast, medically supervised multicomponent interventions are associated with improved psychosocial health, including quality of life, self-esteem, and body image, and reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Few studies utilizing antiobesity pharmacotherapy have reported psychosocial outcomes, and trials of bariatric surgery show some early improvements with a need for sustained psychological support following surgery. Greater access to medically supervised treatment services is required to facilitate obesity care for adolescents. Early data on psychosocial health and obesity treatment offer promising outcomes; however, larger randomized controlled trials and longer-term data are needed. Future research should include both physiological and psychosocial outcomes to assess impact of interventions on the holistic health of adolescents with obesity.