Obesity has increased significantly in recent decades and is starting earlier than before, even before school age. In 2023, 8% of Finnish boys aged 7-12 and 4% of girls were obese, while the corresponding figures for boys aged 13-16 were 9% and 4%, respectively. Overweight and obesity are classified using age- and gender-specific BMI percentile limits, which are derived from adult (18-year-old) BMI cutoffs for overweight (BMI 25-30 kg/m²) and obesity (BMI \> 30 kg/m²). Childhood obesity has a significant tendency to persist into adulthood. Obesity treatment and long-term weight management require an effective intervention that combines both permanent dietary modification and increased physical activity. Obesity has significant physical, psychological, social and economic impacts on both individuals and society. Obesity drug trials have always included lifestyle interventions, but their intensity and long-term follow-up data vary. In addition, for children and young people, intervention should be targeted at the entire family, if possible, because a child alone is not able to modify everyday activities. Stress, depression and other psychologically stressful factors experienced in the family increase the risk of eating habits that predispose to obesity and weight gain. The role of the family in the development of obesity in children and adolescents is central. Parental obesity is a significant risk factor for childhood obesity. Parents' lifestyles, family eating patterns, and eating habits are linked to childhood obesity. A healthy diet, regular meal times, and appropriate portion sizes are key factors in weight management. In addition, low physical activity is associated with overweight and obesity. Excessive sitting and other sedentary activities during waking hours may contribute to the development of obesity. Computer games are a challenge in the treatment of childhood obesity, both in terms of their inactivity and addictiveness. Physical activity promotes weight management, but without permanent changes in diet, it alone is not a sufficient means of losing weight. The most common comorbidities are hypertension, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemias, and fatty liver disease. Metabolic fatty liver disease (MASLD) is currently the most common chronic liver disease in children and adolescents and is mainly caused by obesity. Obesity in adolescence and high triglyceride, insulin, and sensitive CRP levels increase the risk of metabolic syndrome in adulthood. Type 2 diabetes diagnosed in adolescence is a more serious disease than type 1 diabetes, as it is part of the metabolic syndrome, is associated with obesity and several metabolic disorders, and has a shortening effect on the patient's lifespan.
Age range
10 Years – 16 Years
Sex
ALL
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A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Adrerence to the study
Timeframe: one year from the start of the study