ACOG Releases Recommendations for Obesity Management in Adolescents
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently released a Committee Opinion including several recommendations for the management of obesity in adolescent girls.
While the rates of obesity in children (2 to 11 years of age) have slowed, obesity rates continue to increase for adolescents (12 to 19 years of age). “Because the obese female adolescent faces medical, psychologic, and reproductive health challenges, early intervention is imperative in preventing short-term and long-term morbidity,” the authors wrote.
Among the recommendations:
- Obstetricians and gynecologists should not withhold oral emergency contraception from adolescents or women who are overweight or obese. There is currently no data that supports a weight threshold for when the contraception would be ineffective.
- Adolescents who are overweight or obese should be screened for bullying, depression, and peer victimization.
- Obstetricians and gynecologists should caution against the use of weight loss supplements.
In addition, the committee included an overview of research on the effects of body mass index on the efficacy of contraception, and recommended a multidisciplinary team, which would include a dietitian, psychologist, and experienced bariatric surgeon, be used to select appropriate candidates for surgical interventions.
“The obstetrician–gynecologist should be able to identify obese adolescents, particularly those at risk of comorbid conditions,” the authors wrote. “They may have the opportunity to initiate behavioral counseling, participate in multidisciplinary teams that care for overweight and obese adolescents, and advocate for community programs to prevent obesity.”
—Melissa Weiss
Reference:
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Obesity in adolescents. Committee Opinion No. 714. Obstet Gynecol. 2017;130:e127–40. https://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Adolescent-Health-Care/Obesity-in-Adolescents.