Obesity

There is some good advice here. Obesity often begins with a very young child and an appetite that is encouraged by an adult.

Cathy Nonas, M.S., R.D., C.D.E.
Director of Diabetes and Obesity Programs
North General Hospital

According to Ms. Nonas, “The interaction between obesity, genetic predisposition and puberty produces a dramatic increase in the risk of type 2 diabetes. Obesity itself is a risk factor for insulin resistance, which is also a risk for diabetes.”

Pediatricians must make sure that they:

• Do BMIs
• Have scales that weigh obese children correctly
• Have different cuff sizes in their clinics to monitor children's blood pressures
• Conduct more labs looking for the risks that are associated with obesity (type 2 is only one risk, there is also hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome and fatty liver to name a few).

“Pediatricians need to refer these children to programs for weight management or exercise, or to a registered dietitian,” Ms. Nonas added.

Parents and professionals who interact with children can also stop the environmental triggers that are promoting obesity among our children:

• We have to reduce television watching in the home
• Reduce sodas and juice drinks
• Stop supersizing
• Increase physical activity in and out of schools