Depression and Obesity in Adolescents : What Can Primary Care Providers Do?

The health effects of childhood obesity have been shown to have serious short- and long-term consequences that include a wide range of psychological and physical ailments. In particular, obesity and depression, conditions once considered only adult health problems, are increasing in adolescents. There is some early evidence suggesting that predictors of depression such as shortened sleep, sedentary behavior, and depressed mood, may overlap as predictors of obesity. Assessment, evaluation, and treatment of these predictors could lead to better strategies for the primary care provider to not only manage and treat the depression, but potentially prevent and better manage the coexisting obesity and prevent further complications.