Building momentum in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity as TOS recognizes National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, but more work needs to be done

ROCKVILLE, Md. – Following the new guidelines for evidence-based treatment of childhood obesity published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in 2023, new research has gained powerful momentum in the prevention and treatment of obesity. The rise in nutrition-based research has led many clinicians to pursue layering healthy life intervention practices with obesity medication. With nutrition backing this pursuit, researchers believe the state of obesity will take a massive shift in a more positive direction. However, more work needs to be done as scientific and advocacy communities regard not just the high costs of treating obesity, but also medication, food insecurity, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The Obesity Society realizes that more work needs to be done about finding ways to lower costs against obesity as it looks forward to National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month in September. 

“While advancements in obesity medications have shown promising improvements in glucose control and weight loss among adult and child populations, there is still a need for lifestyle intervention to complement these treatment plans,” said Jaime Davis, PhD, chair-elect of the Society’s Pediatric Obesity Section, professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Texas in Austin. 

On April 24, 2024, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published its page on obesity-related strategies and what could be done to counteract the disease, especially for those from childhood to adolescence. These strategies include: finding ways to lower costs for affordable and nutritious foods through health programs, promoting food and nutrition guidelines, and connecting with healthcare providers to carefully measure weight and diet. The strategies mentioned here, and more, have helped build momentum in preventing and treating obesity as patients and their families have been given greater access to resources. By combining strategies like these with research into obesity medication, advancements continue to rise against obesity in adults and children.

Following these advancements, strides have also been made regarding food insecurity in homes with childhood obesity. In 2022, 30.8 million US households with children were food secure, according to the US Department of Agriculture. This number had remained relatively consistent in 2023. However, advancements in 2024 have begun to shift the momentum in a more positive direction, increasing the number of food-secure households. Food assistance organizations and programs such as The National School Lunch Program (NSLP); The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program; the Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP); and Feeding America (FA), have addressed food insecurity in households with children. The research studies provided by these organizations hope to continue confronting childhood obesity and granting more nutritious food sources to children.

Among the most impressive strides against childhood obesity, one of the best successes was in researchers and family members adopting lifestyle intervention measures. According to the CDC, it is best for family members to adopt healthy eating patterns to maintain healthy weight as they age. Organizations and programs such as Early Care and Education (ECE) have worked with families and produced innovative ways to stand against obesity in children. As stated by the CDC, the number of children in ECE settings makes them among the best places outside the home to help young children build a foundation for healthy living. 

TOS supports these great achievements and strides made against childhood obesity. The Obesity Society’s Packing a Healthy Lunch for Your Kids article discussed tips for packing nutritious school lunches. These tips help represent some of the ways the tide has begun to turn in a more favorable direction for children with obesity. By adhering to these tips and guidelines, even more ground can be made in the treatment of obesity-related illnesses. 

During September, TOS will continue to highlight its patient information pages for healthcare providers on its website. Social media posts will be featured throughout the month on the Society’s Facebook and Twitter pages. TOS member communications will feature pediatric obesity sessions scheduled for the Society’s annual meeting at ObesityWeek®. A virtual thematic journal will feature a select number of articles from the Society’s flagship journal, Obesity.

Despite the significant progress achieved, TOS pediatric obesity experts realize that there is still much work to be done. As National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month draws near, experts believe even more advancements will be made as awareness increases in the stand against obesity. 

For more information, visit www.obesity.org. 

### 

The Obesity Society (TOS) is the leading organization of scientists and health professionals devoted to understanding and reversing the epidemic of obesity and its adverse health, economic and societal effects. Combining the perspective of researchers, clinicians, policymakers and patients, TOS promotes innovative research, education and evidence-based clinical care to improve the health and well-being of all people with obesity. For more information, visit www.obesity.org.