Letter to the Editor

Obesity: Changing the Landscape of Pediatric Practice

Authors: Bashar Shihabuddin, MD

Abstract

To the Editor: Obesity in the United States has been a growing epidemic for decades. Since 1980, the number of obese children has doubled and the number of obese adolescents has tripled.1,2 Obesity prevention efforts focus on family, child care, and exercise. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for obesity, such as limiting the intake of fruit juice and nutrient-poor beverages, decreasing portion size, and increasing daily activity have resulted in short-term effects but research is lacking in long-term success.3,4 All aspects of pediatric health care still face challenges in caring for the obese child.

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References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC grand rounds: childhood obesity in the United States. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2011;60:42-46.
 
2. World Heart Federation. Types of heart disease observed in children and adolescents. http://www.world-heart-federation.org/heart-facts/fact-sheets/cvd-in-children-and-youth/. Accessed August 10, 2015.
 
3. Kavey RE, Allada V, Daniels SR, et al. Cardiovascular risk reduction in high-risk pediatric patients: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association Expert Panel on Population and Prevention Science; the Councils on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young, Epidemiology and Prevention, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism, High Blood Pressure Research, Cardiovascular Nursing, and the Kidney in Heart Disease; and the Interdisciplinary Working Group on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research: endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Circulation 2006;114:2710-2738.
 
4. Wilfley DE, Tibbs TL, Van Buren DJ, et al. Lifestyle interventions in the treatment of childhood overweight: a meta-analytic review of randomized controlled trials. Health Psychol 2007;26:521-532.
 
5. Li S, Chen W, Srinivasan SR, et al. Relation of childhood obesity/cardiometabolic phenotypes to adult cardiometabolic profile: the Bogalusa Heart Study. Am J Epidemiol 2012;176(Suppl 7):S142-S149.
 
6. Obesity and Health. Report no. 1485. Washington, DC, US Department of Health, US Public Health Service, 1966.