Does Adolescent Obesity Lead to Adult Obesity?

January 4, 2011

Abstract and Introduction Abstract

Of 79 severely obese adolescents, 60 remained severely obese as adults.

Introduction

The growing prevalence of adult obesity (particularly severe obesity; i.e.,

body-mass index [bMI], â‰¥40 kg/m2) and lack of effective treatment (other

than bariatric surgery, which has substantial risks) have led to a sharpened

focus on obesity prevention. To determine the likelihood that obesity in

adolescence leads to obesity in adulthood, researchers conducted a

prospective cohort study of 8834 adolescents who were normal weight or

obese, but not severely obese; they were followed from 1996 through 2009,

when their mean age was 29. In addition, 79 severely obese adolescents (BMI,

>120% of the 95th percentile at study entry) were followed for the same

period.

Of the 79 severely obese adolescents, 60 (76%) remained severely obese as

adults. Of the adolescents who were not severely obese, 8% became severely

obese adults. In analyses adjusted for age and race or ethnicity, obese

adolescents were markedly more likely than normal-weight or overweight

adolescents to become severely obese adults (hazard ratio, 16).

Comment

These data support developing vigorous and effective approaches to

preventing severe obesity in adolescents, given the high likelihood that

severely obese adolescents will become severely obese adults.

--

Ortiz, MS, RD

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