Table 10.

Important issues in taking a history in adolescent obesity

Plotting the “obesity trajectory”

To do this we ask about birth weight; about early feeding history; whether onset of obesity was sudden or gradual, and at what age; whether progression of obesity was rapid or gradual; whether there have been any periods of very rapid weight gain, particularly recently; whether there have been any periods of weight loss (and why and how achieved); who else in the family is obese or has trouble controlling their weight

Family risk profile

To place the child in the appropriate risk category ask about family history of components of the insulin resistance syndrome (morbid obesity; type 2 diabetes; hypertension; dyslipidaemia; polycystic ovarian syndrome; early cardiovascular disease (defined as development of cardiovascular disease at age 50-59 or younger)