The 2004 PEDS 21 event, "Fact, Fiction, or the Future of Pediatric Obesity" was held on October 12, 2004 in conjunction with the AAP National Conference and Exhibition. The general session was held from 1:00 pm - 4:15 pm and the executive session was held from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

View the slide presentations below and summaries of the symposium and the executive session that followed. The "Fact, Fiction, or the Future of Pediatric Obesity" symposium and related activities were sponsored by a grant from Gerber Products Company.

An updated list of AAP obesity resources, activities, and initiatives can be found on the AAP Overweight and Obesity Web page.

To view the presentations from the symposium, click on the specific titles below. You may use the content in presentation slides. However, please remember to reference the author and presentation.

Primary Prevention - Early Alert
Thomas Robinson, MD, MPH, FAAP
Who, how, and when to screen for obesity. This session will discuss plotting the BMI, talking to parents, asking the "right" questions about nutrition and activity. Understanding the role of the family in helping prevent obesity and screening of "high risk" children for early intervention will be emphasized.

Physical Activity Basics
Eric Small, MD, FAAP
Physical activity is one of the cornerstones of obesity management and prevention. Develop the skills you need to identify patient at risk to become inactive. Learn about skill assessment and motivation. Learn how to reduce inactivity and incorporate activity information in your practice.

Non-Family Environmental Issues that Influence How Pediatricians Address Obesity with Patients
William Dietz, MD, PhD, FAAP
Pediatricians are aware of the importance of the home and family in the prevention and treatment of obesity. The environment outside the home also has a major impact on pediatric obesity. Children spend a significant portion of their day in school. School meals, vending machines, physical education, and ability to participate in athletics are all important factors that need to be addressed. There are different issues in urban vs. suburban vs rural settings such as accessibility to parks/playgrounds, need/availability of transportation, safety, and availability of affordable good nutrition. The media has a major affect on society including that of pediatric obesity through advertisements as well as on lifestyles of children and their families.

Comorbidities of Obesity
Sandra Hassink, MD, FAAP
This session will address type II diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, polycystic ovarian syndrome, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, NASH, and more. Obesity is on the rise and so are obesity related diseases. These traditional diseases of adulthood are now being diagnosed and treated in the pediatric age group. Are you prepared?

Office-based Management of Pediatric Obesity
William Klish, MD, MPH, FAAP
It is imperative for pediatricians to be able to implement some degree of intervention for the ever growing number of obese children as specialty clinics are unable to accommodate everyone. Pediatricians need to be able to address some major and important factors in a time sensitive fashion to be able to help children and their families. This talk will present a logical approach for the treatment of pediatric obesity to be utilized by the busy pediatrician. It will also address the role of bariatric surgery and pharmacologic therapy in the treatment of pediatric obesity.

The Role of Alternative Therapies/Fad Diets in Pediatric Obesity
Nancy Krebs, MD, MS, FAAP
There are an increasing number of alternative therapies available for the treatment of pediatric obesity. Some of these therapies are commonly used in dealing with adult obesity while others are more controversial. This talk will address the role of these alternative therapies in pediatric obesity. It will include a discussion of some of the fad diets such as Atkins and South Beach and the appropriateness or concerns regarding these diets in pediatric patients.

Category 1 CME credits were not designated for this activity.

The "Fact, Fiction, or the Future of Pediatric Obesity" symposium and related activities were sponsored by a grant from Gerber Products Company.