Addressing obesity with pediatric patients and their families in a primary care office

Carlene A Mayfield; Richard R Suminski

doi:10.1016/j.pop.2014.09.008

Addressing obesity with pediatric patients and their families in a primary care office

Prim Care. 2015 Mar;42(1):151-7. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2014.09.008. Epub 2014 Nov 21.

Authors

Carlene A Mayfield¹, Richard R Suminski²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiology, 454 SEP, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, 1750 Independence Ave., Kansas City, MO 64109, USA. Electronic address: cmayfield@kcumb.edu.
² Department of Physiology, 454 SEP, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, MO 64109, USA.

PMID: 25634712
DOI: 10.1016/j.pop.2014.09.008

Abstract

Pediatric obesity is a prevalent condition that has devastating health consequences for children. If left untreated, it can result in adult obesity and related chronic health conditions. Special considerations need to be made for treatment in the pediatric population including an adjustment of treatment goals (weight maintenance vs weight loss) and treatment methodologies. Special emphasis needs to be made to support a child's development of healthy behavior choices. The use of medications should be avoided when possible because long-term health effects of pharmacotherapy treatment in children are unknown.

Keywords: Diet; Exercise; Pediatric obesity; Treatment.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Behavior Therapy
Body Mass Index
Child
Child, Preschool
Diet
Exercise
Female
Humans
Male
Obesity / diagnosis
Obesity / therapy*
Parents
Primary Health Care*
Weight Loss