Newer aspects of the pathophysiology, evaluation, and management of obesity in childhood.

Childhood obesity is a silent epidemic in America. Although most practicing pediatricians recognize clinically significant obesity and are aware of its potential morbidities, they often lack the tools to accurately quantify it, are rarely able to successfully treat it, and usually have no consistent approach to its prevention. In this update, recent information concerning the measurement, prevalence, natural history, complications, causes, evaluation, and management of childhood obesity is discussed.