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Treatment of pediatric obesity comorbidities simplified in new algorithm
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PHILADELPHIA — A new set of guidelines for managing comorbidities associated with pediatric obesity, including dyslipidemia, thyroid conditions and vitamin D deficiency, has been developed by researchers at Washburn University School of Nursing, according to a recent presentation at the annual meeting of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
“One of our primary jobs — and possibly one of our easier jobs — is to identify children who are overweight or obese,” Bobbe Mansfield, DNP, FNP-BC from Washburn University, said in an interview with Infectious Diseases in Children. “Once we do that, there are certain things that we need to do to change the course of that trajectory. However, what we are not as quick to see is that our job of screening for pediatric comorbidities associated with obesity should begin at that time also.”
According to the presentation, routine screening and treatment for these comorbidities is essential for overweight and obese children; however, the approaches to manage potential comorbidities and address these needs are inconsistently taken by primary care providers.
To form an in-depth point-of-care algorithm for obesity comorbidity management in children, Mansfield and colleagues conducted an integrative literature review that included 25 recent articles (within the past 5 years) and expert opinions. The researchers did not modify existing algorithms for dyslipidemia, polycystic ovarian syndrome and type II diabetes, although they were used in the study.
“It’s not enough to just tell these children to limit screen time or [not to] consume sugary drinks,” Mansfield said. “We as providers need to be doing more work on prevention to identify problems.”
Reference:
Thompson N, et al. Management of comorbidities associated with childhood overweight and obesity. Presented at: American Association of Nurse Practitioners National Conference. June 20-25, 2017; Philadelphia.
Disclosure: Infectious Diseases in Children could not obtain disclosure information before publication.