Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Obesity and Comorbid Psychiatric Conditions

Abstract

The effective treatment of childhood obesity-a challenge in itself-is complicated further when accompanied by comorbid psychiatric disorders. Weight management has become an important concern in the treatment of psychopathology due to the significant weight gain induced by many psychotropic medications. The objectives of this chapter are to review the literature on the relationship between obesity and psychiatric conditions, examine the utility of current obesity treatments for use in these populations, and elucidate the role of psychopharmacology in the weight status of these children. In doing so, we will highlight areas that merit further investigation in the effort to develop more precisely targeted treatments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)