A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Risk Factors and Management Strategies for Childhood Obesity

Abstract

Background: Effective management is essential to mitigate the long-term health consequences of obesity, including the development of type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. Methods: This systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines and focused on full-text English-language literature published between 2014 and 2024. Result: The review examined over 6,000 articles from reliable sources like ScienceDirect, PubMed, and SagePub. After initial screening, ten key studies were selected for further in-depth analysis. This secondary review provided a more detailed understanding of childhood obesity and its management. Conclusion: Childhood obesity is a multifaceted issue influenced by behavioral, genetic, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. The prevalence of high-calorie foods and fast-food consumption disrupts executive control responses, contributing to obesity. Genetic predispositions shared between obese children and adults have also been identified. Management strategies include nutritional counseling, exercise programs, psychological support, pharmacotherapy, and in some cases, surgical interventions. Despite these options, treatment outcomes are highly variable, underscoring the need for comprehensive, individualized assessments in pediatric obesity care.