What is the best approach for controlling obesity in an otherwise healthy 10-year-old girl?

Maintaining weight during continued growth is the most appropriate approach for controlling obesity in a healthy 10-year-old girl. This strategy recognizes that children are still growing and developing, and instead of focusing solely on weight loss, it is essential to ensure they develop healthy habits while their bodies naturally grow.

By maintaining her current weight, the child can continue to grow in height, which can lead to a decrease in body mass index (BMI) as she matures. This approach emphasizes fostering a balanced diet and encouraging regular physical activity without promoting unhealthy weight loss practices that could hinder a child's growth or lead to negative psychological effects related to body image.

This method allows for healthy lifestyle changes that can be more sustainable long-term, reducing the risk of weight-related health issues without the psychological stress that may come from calorie restriction or strict dietary limitations. It also accommodates the natural fluctuations in weight that occur during childhood development.

In contrast, weight loss through calorie restriction may not be advisable for children, as their growing bodies need adequate nutrition to support development. Intensive exercise programs may not be suitable or feasible as the primary method of management since enjoyment and activity levels vary widely among children. Lastly, the complete elimination of sweets can create an unhealthy relationship with food, potentially leading to binge eating or