Pediatricians aim to end childhood obesity within a generation

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels, and pediatricians are on the front lines. Pediatricians will confront these issues during a special pre-conference session at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 14, before the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference & Exhibition in Boston.

The Pediatrics for the 21st Century program, "Ending Obesity Within a Generation - Innovations in Practice," challenges pediatricians to "step it up for kids" and take a pro-active approach to diagnosis and treatment of childhood obesity.

Highlights of the program include:

1 p.m. - "Current State of the Evidence and Recommendations for Care," a presentation reviewing the current research and recommendations regarding childhood obesity treatment. Speakers: Elise Tavaras, MD, MPH, FAAP, assistant professor of pediatrics at Children's Hospital Boston; and Nancy Copperman, MS, RD, CDN, director of public health, North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System.

1:30 p.m. - "Innovations in Obesity Care: Two Approaches You Can Try in Your Office Tomorrow," a presentation discussing office-based approaches for obesity care including motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral counseling. Speakers: Robert Schwartz, MD, FAAP, professor of pediatrics at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and Myles Faith, PhD, of the Gillings School of Global Public Health at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill.

3 p.m. - "Establishing and Maintaining Effective Dietitian and Pediatrician Teams," a presentation to help pediatricians identify strategies to establish and maintain partnerships between dietitians and pediatricians. Speakers: Karen Kamachi, MD, CPE, FAAP, general pediatrician; and Joy Mendoza, RD, registered dietitian.

3:25 p.m. - "It's a Package Deal: Obesity, Diabetes and Dyslipidemia in Primary Care," a presentation reviewing nutrition recommendations that apply to different obesity co-morbidities and the criteria for referral. Speakers: Francine Kaufman, MD, FAAP, chief medical officer and VP global clinical and health affairs, Medtronics Diabetes; Samuel Gidding, MD, FAAP, professor of pediatrics, Jefferson Medical College; Nancy Copperman, MS, RD, CDN, director of public health at North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System; Aida Miles, MMSc, Rd, LD, director, Coordinated Masters Program in Public Health Nutrition, University of Minnesota.

5 p.m. - A moderated question and answer session will take place with all the above presenters.

Provided by American Academy of Pediatrics