Body mass index reduction in children with overweight and obesity can be challenging. Psychosocial stressors, such as adverse childhood experiences and unmet social needs, and mental health disorders may represent an important reason why pediatric obesity is so difficult to treat. Increasingly, the identification and management of psychosocial stressors are recognized as crucial components of caring for children with overweight or obesity. In this MOC project, participants will learn practical tips on how to screen, counsel, and refer for one focused psychosocial stressor or obesity-related mental health disorder of their choice.
This activity will include practical applications to improve the providers’ ability to effectively assess and counsel about nutrition. This will be a comprehensive, singular course, consisting of eight modules: 1) Nutrition For Obesity: An Overview, 2) Fruits and Vegetables, 3) Fiber and Fats, 4) Beverages, 5) Early Feeding Practices, 6) What Parents Want to Know, 7) Addressing Barriers to Change, and 8) Nutrition Resources.
This activity will improve the competency, skills, and professional performance of pediatric healthcare professionals by 1) increasing their knowledge of nutrition as it relates to childhood obesity, 2) improving their ability to effectively assess and counsel patients and their families about nutrition, 3) improving their ability to identify and address common barriers to nutrition counseling, and 4) increasing their ability to use and access tools and guidelines on nutrition.
Screening for Psychosocial Stressors in Children with Overweight and Obesity seeks to outline effective strategies for normalizing patients’ weight trajectories. The webinar will discuss AAP’s call for universal screening of depression in adolescents as well as targeted screening of toxic stress in at-risk populations, such as children with obesity.