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It's like rocket science…only more complex: challenges and experiences related to managing pediatric obesity in
Jillian Ls Avis1, Tracey Bridger2,3, Annick Buchholz4
1a Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T5K0L4, Canada.
Insights
Canadian pediatric obesity affects one-third of children, necessitating effective services. This review addresses challenges in managing childhood obesity, focusing on family care, professional collaboration, and healthcare system improvements.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Obesity Management
Background:
- Pediatric obesity is a significant public health concern in Canada, affecting approximately one-third of children.
- Overweight and obesity in children increase risks for short- and long-term health issues.
- Effective and accessible services are crucial for managing pediatric obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review common challenges encountered in pediatric obesity management.
- To share real-world experiences from clinical and research centers.
- To identify lessons learned and ongoing initiatives for optimizing care.
Main Methods:
- The review synthesizes experiences from clinical and research settings.
- Challenges are categorized into three main areas: family care, professional collaboration, and healthcare system integration.
- Lessons learned and current initiatives are highlighted.
Main Results:
- Common challenges in pediatric obesity management span family-centered care, interprofessional collaboration, and healthcare system navigation.
- Real-world experiences offer insights into practical difficulties and potential solutions.
- Ongoing initiatives aim to enhance service delivery for pediatric obesity.
Conclusions:
- Addressing pediatric obesity requires a multi-faceted approach considering families, healthcare professionals, and the broader system.
- Sharing experiences and lessons learned is vital for improving obesity management strategies.
- Optimizing health services is essential to mitigate the impact of childhood obesity in Canada.
Abstract:
Pediatric obesity is an urgent and complex public health issue. Approximately one-third of Canadian children are overweight or obese, a proportion that highlights the need for effective and accessible services to improve short- and long-term health risks. In our experience, we have encountered a number of challenges common in pediatric obesity management across our clinical and research centers. For the purpose of this review, these challenges and our real-world experiences are grouped as issues that span (i) caring for children, adolescents, and families, (ii) collaborating with colleagues and (iii) working within the health care system. Collectively, we highlight a number of lessons learned from our years of experience and detail ongoing initiatives designed to optimize health services for managing obesity for children and adolescents in Canada.