Recommendations for the psychological management of children and adolescents with obesity

Abstract

The frequency of depression, anxiety disorders and low self-esteem is higher in children and adolescents with obesity than their peers without this condition, which leads to a deterioration in their quality of life. Therefore, as part of the comprehensive evaluation of this group of patients, it is essential to evaluate their mental health. This article provides guidelines for the initial approach to children and adolescents who are overweight/obese; in addition, psychological interventions that have demonstrated good long-term results are described.