Peer-reviewed article

[Do you weigh or move on? A reflection on the weight-centric approach of childhood obesity].

Asso Ministral L, Esteve Matalí L, Sanz Mas M, Sala Real N, Sánchez-Valdivia N et al. · 11 Sept 2026

Abstract

The current management of childhood obesity is based on a weight-centric model that promotes systematic weight measurement in follow-up visits. This approach ignores key aspects such as social determinants or genetics in the development of obesity and delves into individual responsibility for its treatment. This, results in a stigmatizing approach that impacts self-esteem, emotional well-being and overall health of children and adolescents. In recent years, different voices have raised to embrace a non-weight-centric approach that assumes a prejudice-free perspective, considering living conditions (food environment, access to healthy eating, availability of spaces for physical activity, access to extracurricular activities, etc.), and focusing on well-being. In the paediatric care, simple measures such as avoiding systematic measurements of weight or other anthropometric measures, performing it only on justified occasions with consent and avoiding comments about weight evolution could be useful. In addition, there is a need for collective reflection on the current approach to childhood obesity, including those who make decisions about the implementation of clinical guidelines and protocols.