Table 3 Final version of the KNOA questionnaire for primary care practitioners

1 –

Most studies indicate that the prevalence of overweight or obesity in adolescents ranges from 10% to 15%.

2 –

Changes in nutrition habits such as increase in carbohydrate and fat consumption are directly associated to the current prevalence of adolescent obesity.

3 –

Obese adolescents have potential for becoming obese adults.

4 –

The chance of obese adolescents developing type 2 diabetes is 2 to 3 times greater than that of non-obese adolescents.

5 –

At least 10% of obese adolescents present with arterial hypertension.

6 –

Obesity in adolescents is positively related to dyslipidemia.

7 –

Body mass index (BMI) is considered a sufficient indicator of the nutritional status of adolescents.

8 –

Preceding the pubertal growth spurt, adolescents may exhibit an overweight appearance that is not diagnosed as obesity.

9 –

Adolescents with a weight-for-age percentile greater than 85% are diagnosed as obese.

10 –

Adolescents undergoing treatment must be evaluated every 6 months.

11 –

In the treatment of obese adolescents, weight gain interruption, with weight stabilization within a growth chart percentile which represents obesity can be assumed to be a satisfactory preliminary therapeutic result.

12 –

Food guide pyramids should be shown to patients to explain nutrient variety, moderate consumption and proportion of food items.

13 –

It is recommended that obese adolescents have 4 daily meals: breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner.

14 –

Fruit can be replaced by fruit juice.

15 –

The health benefits of fruits and vegetables are that of providing vitamins and mineral salts.

16 –

Consuming one apple and one banana every day meets daily fruit consumption recommendations.

17 –

Consuming fiber-rich fruits promotes a feeling of satiety, contributing to weight control.

18 –

Fats must be excluded from the diets of obese adolescents.

19 –

Obese adolescents should consume “diet food” to limit dietary fat.

20 –

Obese adolescents should avoid drinking milk due to its high fat content.

21 –

Obese adolescents may include low-fat sandwiches (containing turkey breast, ricotta cheese and green leaves) in their diet.

22 –

In contrast to saturated fats, unsaturated fats do not cause health problems unless they are consumed excessively.

23 –

The amount of sweets or sugary food items recommended for obese adolescents is limited to a maximum of one daily portion.

24 –

The use of artificial sweeteners as a substitute for sugar is indicated in the treatment of obese adolescents.

25 –

Carbohydrates with a low-glycemic index are known to play a positive role in dietotherapy of obesity.

26 –

Fruit-based rather than creamy desserts should be adopted when treating obese adolescents.