Question

What are the goals for weight loss in the pediatric population? 6. Under what circumstances might weight loss in overweight children not be appropriate? 7. What would you recommend as the current focus for nutritional treatment of Jamey’s obesity?

Answer 1

ANSWERS

Goals and Guidelines are systematically developed statements to assist patients and providers in choosing appropriate health care for specific clinical conditions. While guidelines are useful aids to assist providers in determining appropriate practices for many patients with specific clinical problems or prevention issues, guidelines are not meant to replace the clinical judgment of the individual provider or establish a standard of care.

Ans 1) What are the goals for weight loss in the pediatric population?

The primary goal for weight loss in the pediatric population is to

• Promote healthy eating and activity with minimal use of highly restrictive diets or medication to control weight.
• Pediatric weight loss programs should be family based and incorporate physical activity.
• A team approach helps to incorporate behavioral intervention, with the goal to decrease weight gain, maintain weight, or gradual weight loss (in severe cases).
• Aggressively treating the pediatric population should be avoided to prevent the child from developing an eating disorder or poor self.

Structured diet or weight-loss programs—

Is available to adolescents (ages 13–17) at select locations for children and adolescents (ages 10–17)—may help with weight management.

There are many popular programs, with varying levels of evidence on their effectiveness.

Goals includes,

1) To avoid any programs that promise a “quick fix” or make unrealistic claims.

. So if the child has been gaining two pounds a month, set a goal of only one pound a month of weight gain for a few months.

2) To choose a program—regardless of the type (in person, web based, or phone based)—patients should make sure that it includes the following components:

• Focuses on long-term lifestyle change.
• Addresses both healthy eating and exercise.
• Sets realistic short-terms goals (i.e., weight loss of 5–10% current total body weight).
• Promotes gradual weight loss (i.e., no more than 0.5 pounds per week for younger children up to 2 pounds per week for adult-sized adolescents).
• Includes behavior modification (e.g., meal planning, food diary, etc.).

3) Encourage healthy eating and a healthy weight instead of pushing "dieting" on your child.

  4) Getting the whole family involved in eating healthy and being more physically active can greatly help kids stick to their weight loss goals.

Successful weight management depends less on the diet or weight-loss program chosen than on the consistency and continuity of healthy nutritional choices throughout the patient's life. Be aware that some patients’ diet-program choices may have adverse physiologic effects on blood glucose, blood pressure, and/or lipids.

Ans 2) Under what circumstances might weight loss in overweight children not be appropriate?

The following circumstances makes weight loss inappropriate for children.

According to Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, 2013

• · For children who are overweight but are still growing and developing, weight loss is not recommended.
• · Weight loss is also not appropriate for children with a pre-existing condition or injury. Particularly for children under the age of seven who are overweight or obese, the treatment goal should be to slow down the rate of weight gain and to maintain a baseline weight.

When the child in done growing, slow changes can be made in their diet and exercise patterns to achieve slow weight loss if necessary

Ans 3) What would you recommend as the current focus for nutritional treatment of Jamey’s obesity?

For this to explain Jamey`s data is not available.

However on a general basis following recommendations are made for the nutritional treatment of obesity.

1. Create a healthier lifestyle by educating on healthy food choices and the importance of physical activity.

2. Reduce fat intake and excess sugar intake- avoid completely high-fat dairy products, fried and processed foods, and sugary beverages

3. Increase level of physical activity.- reduce sedentary activities

In an effort to combat and prevent childhood obesity, a list of fun ways to encourage kids to eat healthy and get active can be formulated

o Make a Favorite Dish Healthier----Instead of spaghetti and meatballs with regular noodles, try whole-wheat pasta or even get creative noodles.

o Drink Water--It's important to stay hydrated throughout the day. Drinking water can also make feel full and less tempted to eat that sugary, fatty snack.

o Incorporate Healthy Snacks---If kids is hungry between meals, offer a fruit or veggie instead of ice cream or chips. Ants on a log (celery with peanut butter and raisins) and Greek yogurt with berries are yummy alternatives.

o Teach children about Serving Size---Food should be consumed in the smallest serving size..

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