Title Pediatric Obesity: Current Management
Brief Description
Obesity is a serious health issue affecting the pediatric population. It is a complex chronic disease that carries a significant risk of comorbidities. The prevalence of pediatric obesity has increased exponentially in recent years with prevalence increasing with age, particularly in children from lower socioeconomic status. Lifestyle and behavioral changes lead to only modest improvement due to challenges and limitations in access. Lifestyle therapy outcomes are disappointing as a majority of adolescents with severe obesity, despite repeated efforts, are non-responders or achieve only a modest effect on weight. There is a need for intensive and non-stigmatizing treatment strategies including intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment and pharmacotherapy for children and adolescents who require additional treatment options to address this public health issue. This talk will aim to address the effective treatment strategies to manage pediatric obesity.
Learning Objectives
- Review AAP clinical practice guidelines on obesity
- Discuss the shift in treatment approach to obesity
- Discuss treatment options including medication and bariatric surgery
Speaker
Shruthi Arora MBBS Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology
Emory University School of Medicine