PriMera Scientific Medicine and Public Health (ISSN: 2833-5627)

Review Article

Volume 7 Issue 5

Tackling Adolescent Obesity: A Multi-Dimensional Approach to Intervention

Aastha Athalye, Avinash Borkar* and Namita Deshmukh

November 01, 2025

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Abstract

Adolescent obesity represents an escalating public health burden with multifactorial etiology encompassing behavioral, environmental, psychosocial, and physiological determinants. Recent epidemiological trends indicate that the prevalence of obesity among adolescents has surpassed that of undernutrition in numerous regions globally. This narrative review delineates a multidimensional approach to addressing adolescent obesity, emphasizing health promotion, early prevention, and policy-level interventions. Governmental initiatives such as the Fit India Movement, FSSAI’s nutritional guidelines, and CBSE’s school-based wellness programs aim to foster physical activity and nutritional literacy. The influence of urbanization, impulsive food purchasing behavior, food marketing strategies, and increased accessibility to energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods are critically examined. Moreover, psychosocial comorbidities—particularly depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, and binge-eating disorders—are highly prevalent among obese adolescents, necessitating integrated mental health interventions. The role of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and structured psychological counselling is explored as a therapeutic adjunct. Physical inactivity, prolonged screen time, and lack of access to recreational infrastructure contribute significantly to the obesogenic milieu. Technological tools, including health applications and screen-time monitors, are proposed as potential enablers of behavior modification. The review advocates for age- and sex-specific intervention strategies, incorporation of mindful eating practices, parental involvement, and community-level participation. Emphasis is placed on longitudinal evaluation, feedback mechanisms, and tailored interventions based on urban-rural disparities and socioeconomic stratification. A multidisciplinary, context-sensitive, and evidence-based framework is essential to mitigate the trajectory of adolescent obesity and its associated long-term cardiometabolic sequelae.

Keywords: Adolescent obesity; Preventive health services; Nutritional behaviour; Physical inactivity; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

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