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Medicina
Special Issues
Childhood and Adolescent Obesity: Risk Factors, Complications and Management
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Childhood and Adolescent Obesity: Risk Factors, Complications and Management

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatrics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 February 2026) | Viewed by 1521

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Julian Hamilton-Shield

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (Nutrition Theme), University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Interests: childhood obesity; diabetes
Dr. Dinesh Giri

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol BS2 8BJ, UK
Interests: childhood obesity; hypoglycaemia; hyperinsulinism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Childhood and adolescent obesity has become a major global health concern, with rates increasing rapidly in both developed and developing countries. It is caused by a combination of genetic, behavioural, environmental, and socio-economic factors, leading to serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, joint issues, and mental health challenges. Additionally, obesity in youth is likely to continue into adulthood, creating long-term health and economic issues.

This Special Issue aims to explore the various factors that contribute to childhood and adolescent obesity, focusing on understanding the risk factors, complications, and effective ways to prevent and manage it.

We invite colleagues to share their clinical experience in tackling childhood obesity and related complications from the centres at which they work.

We seek research that advances our understanding of biological mechanisms, novel intervention strategies, digital health solutions, and community-based approaches and welcome original research articles and reviews that offer new insights into this topic.

Prof. Dr. Julian Hamilton-Shield
Dr. Dinesh Giri
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • childhood obesity
  • adolescent obesity
  • obesity risk factors
  • metabolic syndrome

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1259 KB  
Article
Adiposity, Fat-Free Mass Index, and Muscular Strength in Children: Independent Effects on Functional Performance in a Tertiary Pediatric Endocrinology Cohort
by Bogdan Mihai Pascu, Ana Maria Cula, Anca Bălănescu, Paul Cristian Bălănescu and Ioan Gherghina
Medicina 2026, 62(4), 730; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62040730 - 11 Apr 2026
Viewed by 647
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Childhood obesity is associated with alterations in body composition that may impair muscular strength and functional capacity. While higher body mass is often accompanied by greater absolute strength, the independent effect of adiposity on muscle strength after accounting for [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Childhood obesity is associated with alterations in body composition that may impair muscular strength and functional capacity. While higher body mass is often accompanied by greater absolute strength, the independent effect of adiposity on muscle strength after accounting for lean mass remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between adiposity and muscle strength in children and adolescents, while accounting for growth and maturation, and to examine differences according to weight status. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 84 children and adolescents aged 5–18 years. Anthropometric measurements were used to calculate body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio, with weight status classified according to CDC BMI-for-age percentiles. Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (Tanita). Pubertal stage was evaluated using Tanner classification. Muscle strength was assessed using dominant handgrip strength. Associations between adiposity-related parameters and muscle strength were analyzed using correlation and multivariable linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, pubertal stage, physical activity, and body composition. Results: Body mass index was positively correlated with absolute handgrip strength (r = 0.561, p < 0.001). Body fat percentage was negatively associated with relative handgrip strength (r = −0.381, p < 0.001). In multivariable regression analyses, body fat percentage remained an independent negative predictor of handgrip strength (β = −0.203, p = 0.0046), whereas fat-free mass and fat-free mass index were positive predictors in respective models (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Increased adiposity is associated with reduced muscle strength in children and adolescents when strength is evaluated relative to body size or adjusted for lean mass. These findings support the concept of impaired muscle performance in pediatric populations with excess adiposity and highlight the importance of integrating body composition and functional assessments in clinical evaluation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Childhood and Adolescent Obesity: Risk Factors, Complications and Management)
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12 pages, 499 KB  
Article
Obesity Is Independently Associated with Early Loss of Reduction After Casting in Pediatric Both-Bone Forearm Fractures: A Cohort Study of Children Aged 3–13 Years
by Mehmet Yiğit Gökmen, Ahmet Yılmaz, Hasan Orkun Varmış and Özhan Pazarcı
Medicina 2026, 62(3), 565; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62030565 - 18 Mar 2026
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Abstract
Background and Objectives: Pediatric both-bone forearm fractures are commonly treated nonoperatively, yet early loss of reduction remains a clinically important problem. Childhood obesity may be associated with reduced early radiographic stability after closed reduction and casting. Materials and Methods: A retrospective [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Pediatric both-bone forearm fractures are commonly treated nonoperatively, yet early loss of reduction remains a clinically important problem. Childhood obesity may be associated with reduced early radiographic stability after closed reduction and casting. Materials and Methods: A retrospective single-center cohort study was performed, including children aged 3 to 13 years who presented between 2020 and 2023 with acute both-bone forearm fractures involving the radius and ulna. Patients were categorized as normal weight (BMI 5th–84th percentile) or obese (≥95th percentile); overweight children (85th–94th percentile) were excluded. Fracture morphology and level, initial management (operative vs. conservative), and early loss of reduction were recorded. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted within the conservative cohort to identify independent factors associated with loss of reduction. Results: A total of 895 patients were included (normal weight n = 633; obese n = 262). Obese children had a higher proportion of complete fractures than normal-weight children (82.4% vs. 61.9%, p < 0.001) and underwent operative management more frequently at index presentation (33.6% vs. 13.1%, p < 0.001). Among conservatively treated patients (n = 724), early loss of reduction occurred in 36 cases and was more common in obese than normal-weight children (13.2% vs. 2.4%, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, obesity was independently associated with loss of reduction (aOR 5.98; 95% CI 2.89–12.38; p < 0.001). Conclusions: In children aged 3 to 13 years with both-bone forearm fractures treated with casting, obesity was independently associated with early loss of reduction. Weight status may serve as a practical clinical risk marker to support counseling and closer early radiographic surveillance during nonoperative care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Childhood and Adolescent Obesity: Risk Factors, Complications and Management)
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