US Preventative Services Task Force Releases Guidelines for Obesity Screening and Intervention in Children & Adolescents

 

Since the 1970s, obesity in children and adolescents has increased three- to six-fold. Today, 12% to 18% of children and teens aged 2 to 19 years of age are obese based on body mass index (BMI) ratings. Obesity in children and adolescents increases risk for a number of chronic diseases such as diabetes in later, or in some cases, early life. While BMI has been found to be an effective strategy for measuring obesity in children and adults, it is not routinely used in physician practices. A January 18th guidelines statement posted online by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that clinicians screen children ages 6 to 18 years for obesity during routine health screening visits and refer as appropriate to programs to improve their weight status. All children and adolescents who are in the top 15% of body mass are considered overweight or obese and should be treated.

The USPSTF task force guidelines also addressed evidence-based treatment considerations:

• Comprehensive medium- to high-intensity behavioral interventions in obese children and adolescents are effective at least in the short-term.

• Medium- to high-intensity programs are defined as those which include more than 25 hours of contact with the child or family during a six month period.

• Low-intensity interventions are not associated with significant improvement in weight status.

Three components should be included in any effective, comprehensive program including counseling regarding healthy diet or weight loss; counseling regarding physical activity recommendations or a physical activity program; and behavioral management techniques including setting goals, behavioral skill building and self monitoring.

The new guidelines and supporting materials are available online.

 

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