News Release

Prevalence of extremely severe obesity and metabolic dysfunction among US children and adolescents

JAMA Network Open

Peer-Reviewed Publication

JAMA Network

About The Study: In this nationally representative cross-sectional study of U.S. children and adolescents, prevalence of extremely severe obesity significantly increased over time, particularly among older adolescents and non-Hispanic Black participants. Extremely severe obesity was associated with severe metabolic and cardiovascular complications, including metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease, prediabetes or diabetes, severe insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. These findings emphasize the urgent need for public health interventions and policies to address pediatric obesity broadly. 

Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Phillipp Hartmann, MD, MAS, email phhartmann@health.ucsd.edu.

To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/

(doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.21170)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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About JAMA Network Open: JAMA Network Open is an online-only open access general medical journal from the JAMA Network. On weekdays, the journal publishes peer-reviewed clinical research and commentary in more than 40 medical and health subject areas. Every article is free online from the day of publication. 


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