Obesity

The American Medical Association is asking doctors to scale back the use of the body mass index (BMI) when assessing obesity and health in patients, noting it should be used jointly with other measurements, and not solely. 

A new analysis found differences in the gut bacteria seen in adults with obesity, suggesting that changes in the gut microbiota that predispose to adult obesity may begin in early childhood.

Children exposed to maternal COVID-19 during pregnancy showed lower birth weight, lower birth BMI, and accelerated postnatal weight gain, compared with those unexposed.

Built environments, but not social and economic environments, were negatively associated with BMI and overweight or obesity status, with a stronger association among adolescents with longer exposure to their built environment.

In a recent study, reductions in body mass index along with further beneficial effects were found when using oral butyrate supplementation for treating pediatric obesity.

In part 1 of our obesity series, Katherine H. Saunders, MD, DABOM, discusses methods of treating pediatric obesity, including medicines approved by the FDA and the advantages of Intellihealth.

A study from Slovenia suggests a physical activity intervention that would require physical activity every day while at school was effective for reducing BMI and reversing obesity in young children.

Youth who underwent metabolic and bariatric surgery as teenagers are at heightened risk for alcohol use, according to a recent study.

A sugary drinks tax in England may have prevented over 5,000 cases of obesity a year in older girls, but had no significant association with obesity levels in year six boys or younger children.

A follow-up to a Texas Sprouts gardening intervention found improved glucose control and reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in individuals at a high risk of metabolic diseases.

The February 2023 edition of Pediatrics included evidence-based guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics on evaluating and treating obesity in children and adolescents.

A recent study found that children were more likely to present with high BMI and obesity if they had low Child Opportunity Index scores early in life.

Using data from more than 25,000 preschool-aged children in Sweden provides an overview in trends of weight gain and BMI changes that may have impacted pediatric populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a recent study, it was found that children with medical complexity are at a greater risk of overweight and obesity compared to children without medical complexity.

Novo Nordisk has announced their product Wegovy received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for use in adolescents aged 12 years and older with obesity.

In a recent study, it was found that obesity is not present in all cases of type 2 diabetes in pediatric patients.

Amy L. Kiskaddon, PharmD, MBA, BCPPS, discusses how medication doses need to be adjusted for pediatric patients with obesity.

In a recent trial, pediatric patients taking butyrate supplements more often saw a significant reduction in body mass index than those taking placebo.

In a recent study, adolescents, who received weekly doses of semaglutide 2.4 mg alongside lifestyle intervention, saw a significantly greater reduction in body mass index by week 68 than those only given lifestyle intervention.

At the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition, Cassandra Padgett, MS, ACE health coach, discussed how telemedicine intervention effectively managed obesity in pediatric patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A recent study independently associated maternal obesity with ADHD risk in offspring, with a significant risk observed in joint obesity and excessive weight gain.

The ActiveBrains trials associated exercise with improved intelligence and cognitive function in overweight or obese children.

Dr. Gregory Weiss reflects on a recent literature review breaking down different subtypes of pediatric obesity.

Small shifts in your communication style and tactics when discussing obesity with patients can significantly impact how your message is received.

VIVUS LLC announced the US Food and Drug Administration's approval of QSYMIA (phentermine and topiramate extended-release capsules) for the treatment of obesity in adolescents ages 12 to 17 years.

Based on an investigation of associations between patterns of growth in infant weight and adult-onset coronary heart disease, the answer seems to be no.

Recently, the FDA announced the approval of supplemental indication for phentermine and topiramate extended-release capsules for chronic weight management in children aged 12 years and older.

Two pediatric health care providers offer best practices for treating patients with obesity.

School nurses and nurse practitioners play an important role in assessing the child’s health status related to obesity, potential for co-morbidities, and implementing appropriate management strategies.

As we begin to emerge from the national lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many pediatricians may find that the already widespread problem of youth-onset obesity is worse than ever.