Consensus on the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity of the Latin American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (LASPGHAN)

Introduction and aims

Childhood obesity is a pandemic with significant morbidity and mortality implications, impacting both quality of life and the economic burden on healthcare systems. Given the effects on health for the pediatric population, and aligned with the multidisciplinary management approach, the Obesity Working Group of the Latin American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (LASPGHAN) summoned a group of healthcare professionals to develop a consensus on overweight and obesity. The aim of this document is to present those consensus results.

Material and methods

The LASPGHAN Obesity Working Group organized 6 working panels to formulate statements on diagnostic approach, treatment, and follow-up. We conducted a comprehensive review of the current literature across several databases utilizing different search criteria. Thirty-four panelists from the countries that make up the LASPGHAN were selected. They participated in an anonymous online voting process using the Delphi method. A priori consensus for each statement was defined as 80% agreement on a 3-point Likert scale.

Results

Twenty-six statements were discussed and voted upon, resulting in the final approval of 22 statements.

Conclusions

There is a lack of uniformity in diagnosing overweight and obesity in Latin America, especially in the choice of growth charts and cutoff points for the pediatric population.