This book addresses the ever-increasing problem of obesity in children and adolescents, the long-term health and social problems that arise from this, and approaches to prevention and management. It covers all aspects of obesity from epidemiology and prevention to recent developments in biochemistry and genetics, and to the varied approaches to management which are influenced by social and clinical need. A foreword by William Dietz and a forward looking "future perspectives" conclusion by Philip James embrace an international team of authors, all with first hand experience of the issues posed by obesity in the young.