[Murnau comorbidity study on obesity in children and adolescents -- a call to prevention].

In children and adolescents, overweight must not be seen merely as a biological variant; rather, it is often associated with numerous health problems and sequelae. For this reason, obese children and adolescents should be carefully examined for the presence of the latter. To help the physician in this, guidelines for a rational diagnostic approach are available. Since an individual behavioral-therapeutic intervention frequently fails to produce a positive long-term effect, and many physicians are compelled to initiate medication at an early stage, preventive measures directed at causal factors would appear crucial. Pediatricians, specialists in adolescent medicine and family doctors can make a useful contribution to the implementation of the various options for prevention.