Pediatric Weight Management
Welcome to the Pediatric Weight Management (PWM) Project
Interventions to prevent and treat pediatric overweight and obesity can improve health during childhood and into adulthood. In 2013 and 2014, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy) published two position papers to inform and support approaches to address prevention and treatment of pediatric overweight and obesity. These position papers have since expired, necessitating re-examination of current questions and controversies, as well as current evidence on pediatric overweight and obesity prevention and treatment. Academy position papers are supported by systematic reviews. While the Academy conducted a systematic review and evidence-based guideline on multi-component weight management interventions in 2015, a comprehensive systematic review that encapsulates the complex and multi-level nature of pediatric weight management interventions is needed.
The Academy conducted a comprehensive scoping review which identified a considerable body of recent systematic reviews addressing a wide variety of child nutrition interventions and exposures ranging from dietary intake to public policy. Thus, the Evidence Analysis Center conducted two umbrella reviews (see Methods), one focusing on Prevention and the second on Treatment of pediatric overweight and obesity.
Both systematic reviews examine the effects of multi-component interventions on nutrition in a variety of settings, such as family-based, school, healthcare or community settings. The prevention systematic review additionally examines food assistance and access programs, the influence of social media and marketing and dietary quality. The overview of reviews on pediatric overweight and obesity treatment additionally examines the appropriateness of body mass index (BMI) measures to assess nutrition status. Both overviews of reviews address interventions provided via electronic devices and /or telehealth, inclusiveness and equity, cost-effectiveness and implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric weight management practice.
Prevention
- Twenty-one current systematic reviews of nutrition interventions demonstrate a beneficial effect of nutrition and physical activity interventions on BMI measures, and no adverse events were identified.
- The impact of interventions in different settings and contexts was variable according to the pediatric age group examined. While home, primary care and community interventions were more effective in children ≤5 years of age, school interventions were more effective in elementary-aged children. Findings were mixed regarding interventions targeting teens in all settings.
- See a visual summary of the review (jpeg)
Treatment
- In pediatric individuals with overweight or obesity, multi-component weight management interventions reduced BMI z-scores compared to controls. There is no evidence to suggest that weight management interventions result in worsening of quality of life, anxiety or depression, eating disorder risk or other psychosocial outcomes. However, more research is needed regarding the long-term risk of developing eating disorder symptoms post-treatment.
- BMI measures currently used to assess weight status in clinical practice may not be accurate for tracking the effects of weight management interventions in children and teens with overweight and obesity.
Use the links on the left to access the results of both reviews. Expand the section titled Pediatric Overweight and Obesity Umbrella Review Project Team and Disclosures for a listing of the individuals who contributed to the development of the project, conflict of interest disclosures, and project funding information. Expand the section titled Project Resources and Articles to access the position paper developed from the prevention topic.
4/4/2023
- Project Resources and Articles
The following resources were developed from these projects:
- Prevention of Pediatric Overweight and Obesity: Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Based on an Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews - J Acad Nutr Diet 2022; 122(2):410-423
- Treatment of Pediatric Overweight and Obesity: Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Based on an Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews. J Acad Nutr Diet 2022:122 (4):848-861
- Pediatric Weight Management 2015 Evidence-Based Nutrition Recommendations Pocket Guide - This practical quick-reference pocket guide contains the 2015 PWM evidence-based graded recommendations. Available in print and digital format:
- Print format: 4.25"x7.25" multifold. Learn more...
- Digital format: compatible with iPhone and iPad and Android products. Learn more ..
- Pediatric Overweight and Obesity Umbrella Review Project Team and Disclosures (2021)
The following individuals contributed their valuable time and expertise to this project:
Expert Panel
Prevention
- Lynn Brann, PhD, RDN, FAND
Associate Professor, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
- Deanna Hoelscher, PhD, RDN, LD
Professor in Health Promotion/Regional Dean, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
- Sara O'Brien, MS, RDN
Clinical Nutrition Manager, Sodexo, Weston, CT, USA
Treatment
- Shelley Kirk, PhD, RD, LD
Director, Healthworks!, Cinicinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Beth N. Ogata, MS, RDN
Lecturer, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Elizabeth Wickert, MPH, RD, LDN
Clinical Outpatient Dietitian, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Project Leaders
- Mary R. Rozga, PhD, RD, Project Manager
Nutrition Researcher, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Chicago, IL, USA
- Deepa Handu, PhD, RDN, Methodologist
Senior Scientist, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Chicago, IL, USA
Financial Contributor
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Disclosures of Potential Conflicts of Interest: In the interest of full disclosure, the Academy has adopted the policy of revealing relationships project team members have with companies that sell products or services that are relevant to this topic. Project team members are required to disclose potential conflicts of interest by completing the Academy Conflict of Interest Form. It should not be assumed that these financial interests will have an adverse impact on the content, but they are noted here to fully inform readers.
- Brann L: grant from Syracuse University; meeting expenses (travel, lodging, food) for FNCE in 2015 and 2016 from DPG; FNCE registration fee paid by DPG in 2020.
- Hoelscher D: Grant funding from Texas Department of State Health Services; grant funding from NICHD/NIH; grant funding from Michael & Susan Dell Foundation; grant funding from Allen Foundation; grant funding from CDC; consultant for Health Eating Research National Advisory Board; Gerry Sue and Norman J Arnold 2019 Childhood Obesity Lecture Series.
- Kirk S: grant funding from NIH; faculty member on advisory board for Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals in 2019; various speaking engagements; meeting/travel expenses.
- Ogata B: board membership with Homology Medicines, Inc.; consultant for Relias LLC and Sobi, Inc.
- Wichert E: meeting expenses from CHOP, Molly Kellogg’s motivational interviewing, CDR Pediatric and Weight Management Certificate programs, and ServSafe Materials and exam.
- Scoping Review Project Team (2020)
The following individuals conducted the scoping review:
Project Team
- Feon Cheng, PhD, MPH, RDN, CHTS-CP, Co-Project Manager
Nutrition Researcher, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Chicago, IL, USA
- Mary Rozga, PhD, RD, Co-Project Manager
Nutrition Researcher, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Chicago, IL, USA
- Deepa Handu, PhD, RD, Methodologist
Senior Scientist, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Chicago, IL, USA
- Michelle Fiander, MA, MLIS, Librarian
Fiander Consulting, Halifax, NS, Canada
Financial Contributors
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Disclosures of Potential Conflicts of Interest
In the interest of full disclosure, the Academy has adopted the policy of revealing relationships workgroup members and content advisors have with companies that sell products or services that are relevant to this topic. Workgroup members and content advisors are required to disclose potential conflicts of interest by completing the Academy Conflict of Interest Form. It should not be assumed that these financial interests will have adverse impact on the content, but they are noted here to fully inform readers: none