Welcome to the OMA Blog

Article Summary Physical activity is a fundamental pillar of a healthy lifestyle and an essential part of effective weight management for children and adolescents, supporting healthy growth, physical and mental well-being, and prevention of excessive weight gain during critical developmental years. The article, "Consequences of Overweight and Obesity on the Musculoskeletal System in Children: A Review of Recent Literature," examines how excess body weight stresses developing bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissues, potentially leading to orthopedic and functional complications that can persist into adulthood. By synthesizing current evidence, the review offers valuable insight for clinical practice, targeted intervention, and future research aimed at improving long-term musculoskeletal health in children and adolescents. (2025), "Consequences of overweight and obesity on the musculoskeletal system in children: a review of recent literature," lays out why: adiposity places real, measurable strain on the growing skeleton, in ways that go well beyond simple wear and tear. Physical activity is one of the core pillars of comprehensive obesity care, and current guidelines recommend 60 minutes of daily activity for children and adolescents. Clinically, ask about joint pain, exercise intolerance, and gait changes as part of routine obesity visits, and incorporate a basic assessment of movement and mobility rather than waiting for a child to volunteer that something hurts. A thorough visit should assess mobility, functional status, and quality of life, and screen for psychosocial barriers to activity, with referrals to physical therapy, exercise physiology, or behavioral health as needed2 Consider adding standardized quality-of-life or functional-status measures to routine obesity visits, and expanding access to behavioral health support alongside physical activity resources. Routine visits should include balance, gait, and fall-history assessment, with physical therapy referral for children showing gait abnormalities or recurrent injury. Conclusion The musculoskeletal effects of pediatric obesity are complex and can affect mobility, physical activity, and quality of life. Treating the whole child means making musculoskeletal health part of routine obesity care. Consequences of overweight and obesity on the musculoskeletal system in children: a review of recent literature.

An international steering group conducted a rigorous global consensus process for renaming polycystic ovary syndrome, leading to a consensus regarding the terminology change

The most increase in physical activity (PA) was found to be from infancy to 24 months and then tended to plateau. Greater screen time exposure was associated with a slower rate of PA increase between 6 and 24 months of age. Based on these findings, clinicians should consider integrating PA anticipatory guidance into well-child visits beginning in early infancy, with attention to screen time limits and opportunities for active play. In their original article, Longitudinal Change in Physical Activity in Children 6 to 36 Months of Age , Pate and colleagues not only present the developmental pattern for PA in this age group but also highlight factors that may hinder or promote PA development. Interestingly, screen time was associated with higher PA levels at 6 months but with a slower rate of PA growth by 24 months, suggesting that the negative impact of screen exposure on physical activity accumulates over time rather than appearing immediately. Longitudinal Change in Physical Activity in Children 6 to 36 Months of Age.

Article Summary This scoping review highlights the complex, bidirectional relationship between pediatric obesity and mental health , emphasizing depression, psychosocial mediators, and the importance of integrated behavioral and medical interventions in pediatric obesity care. Read the Full Article Article Review Childhood and adolescent obesity is increasingly recognized as a chronic, relapsing condition with significant mental and behavioral health implications. In Obesity and Mental Health in Childhood and Adolescence: A Scoping Review of Recent Scientific Evidence , Morales-Suárez-Varela et al. review recent literature examining the relationship between pediatric obesity and mental health outcomes, with particular attention on depressive symptoms. This review reinforces the importance of addressing mental health and providing mental health treatment as a core component of pediatric obesity care rather than adjunctive care alone. This scoping review synthesizes evidence published over the last decade and highlights the complex, bidirectional relationship between obesity and mental health. The authors argue that routine mental health screening and access to behavioral health support should be standard elements of pediatric obesity care.

Article Summary Treatment Across the Care Continuum in Adolescent Obesity Management: This article reviews the complexity of treating adolescents affected by obesity using antiobesity medications and metabolic bariatric surgery, the potential role of concurrent versus singular treatment strategies and highlights and the need for further research to define optimal timing of these therapies in the adolescent population. Read the Full Article Article Review The treatment landscape for adolescents affected by obesity in the United States has changed dramatically over the past few years. This article highlights the growing impact of adolescent obesity, current information, epidemiology, unique features of adolescent obesity, barriers to care and reviews current treatment options, including antiobesity pharmacotherapy and metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS). Expanding pediatric obesity programs that offer comprehensive care, including lifestyle interventions, anti-obesity medications, and adolescent MBS may help optimize treatment strategies and improve long-term outcomes for adolescents with obesity. Reframing obesity treatment in the adolescent population using a chronic disease model would shift the perspective from viewing treatment as a one-time intervention to recognizing it as part of a continuous, long-term care process. Adopting this model may improve the sustainability of weight management, support the prevention and treatment of weight regain, and promote better long-term health outcomes for adolescents living with obesity. Implications for adult and pediatric obesity specialists include advocating for patients access to evidence-based care, including treatment for adolescents affected by obesity and its associated comorbidities.

Article Summary This long-term population study examines how changes in weight from childhood to young adulthood relate to adult coronary heart disease risk, highlighting adolescence as a critical period. The BMI Epidemiology Study (BEST) in Gothenburg, Sweden examined whether changes in weight status from childhood through young adulthood influence adult CHD risk. Childhood and Young Adulthood Overweight, Including Obesity, and the Risk of CHD: Both childhood overweight and young adult overweight/obesity were associated with higher adult CHD risk, though no significant differences were seen between sexes. Changes in Weight Status Between Childhood and Young Adulthood and the Risk of CHD: Individuals who were overweight in childhood but normalized by young adulthood had CHD risk like those who were never overweight, indicating reversibility of risk. In contrast, pubertal onset overweight (normal childhood weight but overweight in young adulthood) and persistent overweight (overweight in both periods) were linked to higher CHD risk, with pubertal onset overweight carrying the highest risk, particularly in men. BMI Percentile Changes Between Childhood and Young Adulthood and the Risk of CHD: Using BMI percentiles, high childhood BMI that normalized by young adulthood did not increase CHD risk, while high young adult BMI, regardless of childhood BMI, was linked to higher CHD risk. While excess adiposity in childhood is associated with later obesity, it does not appear to irreversibly program CHD risk if weight normalizes by young adulthood. Change in Weight Status From Childhood to Young Adulthood and Risk of Adult Coronary Heart Disease.

A recent study by Rodriguez et al. (2025) reviewed differences in pediatric obesity treatment before and after the release of the 2023 AAP Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Obesity.

Pediatric MASLD is rapidly rising alongside childhood obesity. This expert consensus outlines current evidence on epidemiology, diagnosis, and management, highlighting screening strategies and emerging therapies to guide early identification and care.

A new study by Williamson et al. (2025) showed that adding a short sleep screening tool directly into the EHR helped primary care providers identify more sleep disorders and led to more PSG orders and specialty referrals. This is a simple, practical approach that could also be very useful in Obesity Medicine, where sleep screening is still often missed but could make a big impact