SIGNIFICANCE
Adolescent overweight is associated with significant immediate and long term health risks.4
Adverse metabolic changes associated with excess body fat begin early. Intra-abdominal or central
distribution of body fat appears to be independently and more closely associated with adverse health
risks than total body fat, or deposition of fat in the gluteal or thigh area.5,6 Potential medical
complications of overweight during adolescence are included in Table 1