What tests are needed for childhood obesity

Childhood obesity usually requires physical examination, laboratory testing, imaging examination, and endocrine function assessment to determine the cause, degree, and whether there are any complications associated with obesity. The main examination items include physical measurements, blood biochemistry tests, insulin and blood glucose tests, liver ultrasound, and thyroid function.

1. Physical measurement and evaluation:

This is the most basic examination, including measuring height, weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference, and calculating body mass index. Doctors will compare the growth curve of children to determine whether the degree of obesity is mild, moderate, or severe. Waist circumference can reflect the accumulation of abdominal fat and help evaluate the risk of metabolic syndrome. These measurement results are also important references for subsequent treatment and follow-up.

2. Blood biochemistry test:

mainly tests four items of blood lipids, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein, to determine whether hyperlipidemia exists. At the same time, liver function will be checked for alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, as obese children are prone to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Renal function tests such as blood creatinine and urea nitrogen are also necessary to rule out kidney related issues.

3. Insulin and blood glucose testing:

By measuring fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin levels, the presence of insulin resistance or abnormal glucose metabolism can be evaluated. When necessary, oral glucose tolerance test will be carried out, that is, after drinking a certain amount of glucose on an empty stomach, blood glucose and insulin will be measured at different time points, which is the gold standard for diagnosing pre diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is more common in obese children, and early detection can help with timely intervention.

4. Liver ultrasound examination:

Abdominal ultrasound is a non-invasive and non radiative imaging examination that can visually observe the size, echo intensity, and presence of fat infiltration in the liver. Non alcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the most common liver complications in obese children. Ultrasound can clarify the severity of fatty liver and exclude other liver mass lesions. This examination is crucial for developing weight loss plans and monitoring liver health.

5. Endocrine function assessment:

includes thyroid function tests such as thyroid stimulating hormone and free thyroxine to rule out secondary obesity caused by hypothyroidism. For children with conditions such as acanthosis nigricans, hirsutism, or menstrual abnormalities, cortisol and sex hormones such as testosterone and estradiol should also be tested to screen for endocrine disorders such as Cushing's syndrome or polycystic ovary syndrome. These tests help distinguish between simple obesity and pathological obesity. Parents should take their children to the pediatric or child health department for treatment. After completing the above examinations, the doctor will develop an individualized weight loss plan based on the results. Daily attention should be paid to adjusting dietary structure, reducing high sugar and high-fat foods, increasing vegetable and whole grain intake, and ensuring at least one hour of moderate intensity exercise per day, such as brisk walking, swimming, or skipping rope. Regularly monitoring changes in weight and height, and reviewing relevant indicators every 3-6 months, can help evaluate intervention effectiveness and adjust plans in a timely manner.