| Description |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2019) defines obesity as a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile of the CDC sex-specific BMI-for-age growth charts. According to Olson, Aldrich, Callahan, Matthews, & Gance-Cleveland (2016), obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States over recent years. Especially concerning is the dramatic increase in childhood obesity, which may cause significant health consequences throughout a person's entire lifespan. Chronic health issues such as insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, and metabolic disorders can be linked to obesity. Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress are also associated with increased body mass index (BMI). Genetics, socioeconomic status, family and individual health behaviors, sedentary lifestyle, and environment influence weight management. As of 2017, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) (2017) reports thirty-two percent of children and adolescents, ages two-to nineteen-years old in the United States are overweight or obese. These numbers continue to rise after a three-decade-long steady increase in obesity rates, and are found to be even higher in certain populations. African American females, Hispanic males, and those of lower socioeconomic status are disproportionately affected. The purpose of this literature review is to examine provider guidelines for the prevention and management of childhood obesity, as well as identify barriers to implementation of these guidelines in clinical practice. |
