New research from Karolinska Institutet, published in JAMA Pediatrics, highlights the long-term benefits of weight-loss treatment for children with obesity. When these children receive proper treatment, they face a lower risk of serious health issues later in life, particularly diseases linked to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. This is good news for parents and healthcare providers.
The study focused on a method called “behavioral lifestyle therapy.” This approach supports children and their families in adopting healthy eating habits, regular exercise, and better sleep routines. The results show that children who do well with this treatment are less likely to deal with obesity-related health conditions as young adults.
“The results are very encouraging. There has been ongoing debate about whether childhood obesity treatment has lasting health benefits. Maintaining weight loss can be challenging,” says Emilia Hagman, a doctor at the Department of Clinical Science, Intervention, and Technology.
The research involved over 6,700 participants treated for obesity during childhood. They were tracked into adulthood, using various health registers to analyze their health outcomes. A control group from the general population was included to compare results based on age, sex, and location.
Notably, the study did not examine the use of GLP1 analogues, which have gained popularity as obesity treatments in recent years, as they were not available during the time these young people received their initial treatment. Although Dr. Hagman sees potential in these drugs to help manage hunger, she emphasizes that lifestyle therapy remains vital for treating childhood obesity.
The research group plans to continue exploring effective therapy options tailored to individual needs and identifying key health markers that may influence long-term health. Understanding these factors can lead to better treatments and improved outcomes for children struggling with obesity.
Source:
Journal reference:
Putri, R. R., et al. (2025). Effect of Pediatric Obesity Treatment on Long-Term Health. JAMA Pediatrics. doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.5552.
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Source linkChildren, Obesity, Adolescents, Anxiety, Blood, Childhood Obesity, Depression, Diabetes, Drugs, Exercise, Pediatrics, Research, Sleep, Type 2 Diabetes
