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Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report
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Racial Disparities in Obesity Treatment Among Children and Adolescents

Veronica R Johnson1, Nonyerem O Acholonu2, Ana C Dolan3

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Northwestern Medicine, 259 E. Erie Street, Suite 2150, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. veronica.johnson@nm.org.

Current Obesity Reports
|May 14, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Racial disparities in pediatric obesity are evident from conception, influenced by genetics and environment. Treatment access and utilization are limited in minority communities, necessitating further research.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Public Health
  • Health Disparities

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic requiring urgent intervention.
  • Racial disparities in obesity prevalence and treatment necessitate focused study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the origins of childhood obesity and identify strategies to slow disease progression.
  • To investigate racial disparities in pediatric obesity to inform public health strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on racial disparities in pediatric obesity.
  • Analysis of factors contributing to obesity from conception through adolescence.
  • Examination of current treatment modalities and their utilization in diverse populations.

Main Results:

  • Pronounced disparities exist among Black and Hispanic pediatric patients due to genetic and fetal environmental factors.
  • Postnatal environment and psychosocial factors exacerbate weight gain propensity.
  • Treatment options are underutilized in communities of color due to access and cost barriers.

Conclusions:

  • Limited data exists on treatment disparities for pediatric obesity.
  • Race significantly impacts disease treatment, highlighting a need for further research.
  • Increased research in pharmacotherapy and metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is crucial to combat pediatric obesity in minority communities.
Abstract

Keywords:
DisparitiesLifestyle interventionMetabolic and bariatric surgeryPediatric/adolescent obesity treatmentPharmacotherapyRace

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