Office-Based Obesity Assessment, Prevention & Treatment - November 2007
In 2005, the American Medical Association, Health Resources & Services Administration and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention convened an Expert Committee to revise the 1997 childhood obesity recommendations. In June 2007, these revised recommendations were released. The full recommendations with an implementation guide can be found on the AAP Web site.
The committee's recommendation is to treat childhood obesity in three steps:
- Step 1 - Obesity Prevention at Well Care Visits - This is primarily office-based prevention provided by the pediatrician; details are included in the chart below. The evidence-based advice can be included into your routine anticipatory guidance at well-child check-ups or office visits.
- Step 2 - Prevention Plus Visits - After six months if there is no improvement in body mass index (BMI)/weight velocity and the family is willing, a referral should be made to a nutritionist or a comprehensive obesity treatment program. California Pacific’s MOVE Pediatric Weight Management Program is one such program (see enclosure).
- Step 3 - Going Beyond Your Practice - This involves intervention on a community level. For example, physicians can help influence schools to provide healthy eating options or cities to provide safe physical activities.
This information provided by Molly P. Linehan, M.D., MOVE Pediatric Weight Management Program California Pacific Medical Center Department of Pediatrics.