WHO guidelines on the integrated management of obesity in children

Overview

This WHO guideline provides adoptable and adaptable, practice- and science-informed global clinical and public health recommendations on the integrated management of obesity in children aged 29 days to under 10 years, using a primary health care approach. Its aim is to support Member States and their partners in improving health, functioning and reducing obesity-associated disability through integrated, people-centred care that considers the diverse needs of children and their families.

The guideline presents evidence-informed recommendations on dietary interventions, physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep, behaviour changing interventions, digital health interventions, pharmacotherapy, bariatric surgery and weight-management devices, and multimodal interventions. Developed through the WHO guideline process, the recommendations are informed by systematic evidence reviews together with considerations of benefits and harms, equity, feasibility, acceptability, costs, and the values and preferences of children and their caregivers. The guideline is intended for policy-makers, programme managers, health workers and others involved in planning and delivering obesity care for children.