Overweight and obesity are becoming more prevalent over time.

Metabolic syndrome has no standard definition; it is more practical to evaluate the various comorbidities and treat them accordingly.

When body mass index (BMI) percentile is increasing, this change should be addressed as early as possible.

Initial laboratory evaluation for obesity screening can include a nonfasting or fasting lipid profile, a hemoglobin A_1c test (or glucose test, if the patient is fasting), and an alanine aminotransferase test.

When a clinician is working to manage weight, follow-up visits should be done in 1-month intervals initially until consistent BMI progress is made.

It is imperative to get the entire family on board. Writing a letter to other adult caregivers can be helpful, if they cannot come to clinic.