Work

Student Column Improving Processes of Care for Overweight and Obese Children: Evidence from the 215-Go! Program in Philadelphia Health Centers

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: Clinic-based treatment of childhood overweight and obesity continues to fail to meet the burden of that condition.1 Childhood overweight and obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, with recent estimates of 32% for children aged 2-19 years. 2 Together, pediatric overweight and obesity increase the risk of several short-term comorbidities including dyslipidemia, hypertension, insulin resistance, abnormal glucose tolerance, sleep apnea, and orthopedic complications. 3 A recent systematic review demonstrates the long-term consequences of overweight and obesity and shows that overweight and obese children experience significantly increased risk in their adult life of premature death, diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, stroke, asthma, and polycystic ovary syndrome.4 In addition to the aforementioned physical consequences of childhood obesity, overweight and obese children may experience discrimination that can lead to low self-esteem, eating disorders, and other mental health conditions.3 These health consequences of childhood overweight and obesity, combined with the high prevalence of the condition, indicate the necessity for adequate diagnosis and treatment.The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) convened an expert committee to develop clinical guidelines for best practices to identify and treat childhood overweight and obesity informed by the Chronic Care Model.5,6 These guidelines have been available since 1998 and were updated in 2007.Several studies, however, have found that pediatricians continue to underdiagnose and unsuccessfully manage weight problems in children.[7][8][9][10] Identified barriers to guideline adherence by pediatricians include low self-efficacy in treatment as a result of the complex biological and social etiology of the disease, lack of a proven treatment

Source: Public Health Reports

DOI: 10.1177/003335491412900314

Authors: Daniel M. Walker, Jessica M. Robbins, Darryl Brown, Zekarias Berhane

Institutions: Tulane University, Drexel University

Language: English

Topic: Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Drexel University