Fad Dieting and Weight Loss in Children.

1. William Stratbucker, MD, MS* 1. *Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI. 1. 1. Hagan JF Jr, 2. Shaw JS, 3. Duncan PM Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents. 3rd ed. Hagan JF Jr, Shaw JS, Duncan PM, eds. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2008 2. 1. Barlow SE Expert Committee Recommendations Regarding the Prevention, Assessment, and Treatment of Child and Adolescent Overweight and Obesity: Summary Report. Barlow SE and the Expert Committee. Pediatrics. 2007;120(suppl 4):S164–S192 [OpenUrl][1][Abstract/FREE Full Text][2] 3. 1. Kelly AS, 2. Barlow SE, 3. Rao G, 4. et al Severe Obesity in Children and Adolescents: Identification, Associated Health Risks, and Treatment Approaches: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Kelly AS, Barlow SE, Rao G, et al. Circulation. 2013;128:1689–1712 [OpenUrl][3][Abstract/FREE Full Text][4] 4. 1. Casazza K, 2. Fontaine KR, 3. Astrup A, 4. et al Myths, Presumptions, and Facts About Obesity. Casazza K, Fontaine KR, Astrup A, et al. N Engl J Med. 2013;365(5):446–454 [OpenUrl][5] 5. 1. Braganza SF, 2. Ozuah PO Fad Therapies. Braganza SF, Ozuah PO. Pediatr Rev. 2005;26(10):371–376 [OpenUrl][6][FREE Full Text][7] Clinicians working with families to promote and improve the health of children are constantly faced with the challenging diagnosis of obesity. The development of excessive weight gain in a child is typically complex and requires careful assessment for potential areas of improvement, including family function, mental health, sleep, activity, and nutrition. Too often the emphasis in US culture is on weight loss and advice is simplified to “eat less.” This narrow focus and simplistic assumption of the cause and treatment of obesity can be dangerous for children. The landscape of recommended strategies for adult weight loss is immense. Adults with obesity are bombarded with a vast array of temporary and restrictive eating behaviors, called fad diets. These diets promise quick results but are not associated with long-term improved health outcomes. Children with obesity commonly have at least 1 parent with obesity who may have tried popular dieting fads. Parents or other caregivers may wonder if a fad diet might be worth trying for the child. Some may have a false idea that health and weight control can be achieved through dieting without other healthy choices such as exercise and smoking avoidance. It is important for pediatric clinicians to recognize the harmful potential of fad dieting and how to advise and motivate families to make lifestyle changes that have a better chance at resolving a child’s obesity. … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DPediatrics%26rft.stitle%253DPediatrics%26rft.aulast%253DBarlow%26rft.auinit1%253DS.%2BE.%26rft.volume%253D120%26rft.issue%253DSupplement_4%26rft.spage%253DS164%26rft.epage%253DS192%26rft.atitle%253DExpert%2BCommittee%2BRecommendations%2BRegarding%2Bthe%2BPrevention%252C%2BAssessment%252C%2Band%2BTreatment%2Bof%2BChild%2Band%2BAdolescent%2BOverweight%2Band%2BObesity%253A%2BSummary%2BReport%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1542%252Fpeds.2007-2329C%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F18055651%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/ijlink?linkType=ABST&journalCode=pediatrics&resid=120/Supplement_4/S164&atom=%2Fpedsinreview%2F37%2F8%2F357.atom [3]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DCirculation%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1161%252FCIR.0b013e3182a5cfb3%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F24016455%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [4]: /lookup/ijlink?linkType=ABST&journalCode=circulationaha&resid=128/15/1689&atom=%2Fpedsinreview%2F37%2F8%2F357.atom [5]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DN%2BEngl%2BJ%2BMed.%26rft.volume%253D365%26rft.spage%253D446%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [6]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DPediatrics%2Bin%2BReview%26rft.stitle%253DPediatr.%2BRev.%26rft.aulast%253DBraganza%26rft.auinit1%253DS.%2BF.%26rft.volume%253D26%26rft.issue%253D10%26rft.spage%253D371%26rft.epage%253D376%26rft.atitle%253DFad%2BTherapies%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1542%252Fpir.26-10-371%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F16199591%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [7]: /lookup/ijlink?linkType=FULL&journalCode=pedsinreview&resid=26/10/371&atom=%2Fpedsinreview%2F37%2F8%2F357.atom