Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States, with one in five children being overweight or obese. Obesity can lead to a number of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea.
Akron Children’s Hospital’s Approach
Akron Children’s Hospital is taking a multidisciplinary approach to tackling childhood obesity. This approach involves a team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, dietitians, and social workers, working together to provide comprehensive care to children and their families.
The Team’s Approach
The team at Akron Children’s Hospital uses a number of different strategies to help children lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. These strategies include:
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Medical Evaluation
The team starts by conducting a medical evaluation to determine if there are any underlying medical conditions that are contributing to the child’s weight problem.
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Nutritional Counseling
A registered dietitian provides nutritional counseling to help children and their families make healthy eating choices. The dietitian also teaches children how to read food labels and make healthy choices when eating out.
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Exercise Counseling
A physical therapist or exercise physiologist provides exercise counseling to help children get regular physical activity. The exercise counselor also helps children develop a safe and effective exercise plan.
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Behavioral Therapy
A behavioral therapist works with children and their families to help them change their unhealthy habits. The therapist teaches children how to set realistic goals, cope with stress, and make healthy choices.
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Family Support
The team at Akron Children’s Hospital also provides support to the families of children who are overweight or obese. The team offers support groups, educational materials, and other resources to help families make healthy lifestyle changes.
The Results
The multidisciplinary approach used by Akron Children’s Hospital has been shown to be effective in helping children lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. In a study published in the journal Pediatrics, children who participated in the program lost an average of 10% of their body weight.
Conclusion
Akron Children’s Hospital’s multidisciplinary approach to tackling childhood obesity is a successful model for other hospitals and clinics to follow. This approach involves a team of healthcare professionals working together to provide comprehensive care to children and their families. The results of the program have been shown to be effective in helping children lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Kind regards
J. Greer
