The Latest and Greatest in the Management of Pediatric Obesity- A Look at Incretin-based Therapies and Bariatric Surgery

With obesity affecting 1 in 3 U.S. kids (and comorbidities another looming threat), primary care providers need to understand the causes, the diagnostic process, and the reasons they shouldn’t delay starting treatment in young patients. After unpacking complexities of the disease, pediatric endocrinologist Shylaja Srinivasan, MD, MAS, lays out valuable details on incretin-based drugs – covering benefits, expense and side effects – including the latest injectables and those under study. She also explains when to consider bariatric surgery in adolescents and offers current perspectives on how it may impact long-term health.  

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the epidemiology and risk factors for obesity in children.

• Discuss the use of incretin-based therapies for the management of pediatric obesity.

• Explain the indications to consider bariatric surgery for the management of pediatric obesity.