Which Of The Following Statements About Pediatric Obesity Is True
Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the US with almost 20% of children affected. It can lead to other health issues, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes, as well as mental health concerns such as anxiety and low self-esteem.
How does obesity affect children?
Childhood obesity increases the risk of serious health problems such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Children with obesity are also more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. The prevalence of obesity varies among different racial and ethnic groups, with about one in four Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black children affected.
Are there evidence-based recommendations for medical care for children and adolescents with obesity?
The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued evidence-based recommendations for medical care for children and adolescents with obesity in their new "Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Obesity," published in February 2023 Pediatrics.
What percentage of children are overweight?
Approximately one-third (32%) of US children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 are overweight, and almost one-fifth (17%) of them are obese. If no intervention is made, around 65 million more adults will be diagnosed with obesity in the United States by 2030 due to the ongoing trends of pediatric obesity.
What is included in the child obesity guideline?
The American Academy of Pediatrics has released its first comprehensive guidelines on the clinical care practices for child obesity treatment. The guideline is supported by an executive summary and two technical reports, which cover interventions and comorbidities.
This guideline outlines strategies for preventing and managing childhood obesity through lifestyle changes, as well as assessing affected children for medical and psychological complications. It also advises healthcare professionals on when to evaluate children for potential genetic causes of obesity and when medication or surgery may be appropriate for severely affected adolescents.
How do you treat childhood obesity?
Childhood obesity can be treated through lifestyle changes such as healthy diet, physical activity, and behavioral modifications. Medical and psychological complications should be evaluated, and in severe cases, medication or surgery may be necessary. Rare genetic causes of obesity should also be considered and evaluated.
Should children with obesity be treated early?
As per the latest guidance provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics, children with obesity should be offered more intensive treatment options earlier, including therapy and medication. The guidance recommends moving away from "watchful waiting" and encourages early, aggressive treatment for childhood obesity. Therefore, it is advisable to treat children with obesity early to ensure proper management of their condition and prevent any possible complications associated with obesity.
The standard of care for many conditions is now based on evidence-based medicine. This approach requires the use of new information from randomized controlled trials and clinical practice guidelines to improve the quality of care received by patients.
What is evidence based medicine?
Evidence-based medicine is an approach that defines the standard of care for many conditions by using new information from randomized controlled trials and clinical practice guidelines.
What are evidence-based recommendations?
Evidence-based recommendations are guidelines or clinical practice statements that are developed based on a systematic and rigorous review of current scientific literature. These recommendations are intended to inform clinical decision-making and to ensure that patients receive effective and appropriate care based on the best available evidence. Evidence-based recommendations are formulated by expert panels, which consider the strength of the evidence, the balance of benefits and harms, and the values and preferences of the patients. Implementing evidence-based recommendations can improve patient outcomes and enhance the quality of healthcare delivery. However, it is important to note that evidence-based recommendations should not replace clinical judgment or patient preference, but rather should be used to inform and support clinically appropriate decisions.
How are clinical guidelines developed?
Clinical guidelines are developed using a specified method that incorporates principles of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and consensus or Delphi process recommendations made by a panel of experts.
Is EBM a "cookbook" medicine?
There is a common misconception that Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) is a "cookbook" approach to medicine that is dogmatic, inflexible, and uniform. However, EBM is actually meant to provide the best evidence tailored to the individual needs and preferences of a patient, based on the clinical judgement of a capable clinician. EBM can be based on any reasonable evidence.
According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, around 12.5 million or 17% of children aged 2 to 19 are overweight. Teen obesity is caused by an imbalance between the number of calories consumed and calories burned.
