About this Research Topic
Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions and the prevalence of severe obesity is on the rise. Childhood obesity results from an interplay of genetic and environmental factors, and disproportionately affects youth from ethnic minorities and socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Lifestyle interventions focused on modifying dietary habits, sedentary behavior, and physical activity remain the cornerstone of treatment of childhood obesity and associated cardio-metabolic risk factors. These strategies are crucial in youth undergoing management with pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery as well. Lifestyle interventions have modest efficacy in management of excess weight gain among youth with obesity, and health benefits beyond change in weight status, such as metabolic health, quality of life, mental well-being, and psychosocial support, remain underexplored. Therefore, innovative as well as cost-effective strategies are needed to increase the efficacy and feasibility of these interventions for both weight and non-weight related health outcomes.
Management of childhood obesity through lifestyle interventions remains a challenge due to variable compliance and interpreting weight status outcomes, particularly in the context of broader health metrics. The goal of the Research Topic is to present the latest evidence on innovative as well as cost-effective strategies that can enhance the efficacy and feasibility of these interventions, particularly in at-risk youth. Another goal is to broaden the definition of “success” in pediatric weight management that goes beyond outcomes based primarily on anthropometric measures, such as impact of interventions on other aspects of physical and mental health as well as quality of life and psychosocial support.
We are particularly interested in original research, review, and mini review articles focused on the following themes:
• Impact of various lifestyle interventions (dietary interventions, physical activity, sleep, stress components) on insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk factors, including lipids
• Physical activity and risk for obesity related to endocrine conditions including diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, and dyslipidemia
• Broadening the definition of “success” in pediatric weight management
• Cost effective and novel enhancements to facilitate lifestyle modifications for weight management in children
• Innovative strategies including social media, digital interventions, and telemedicine to increase engagement of children with obesity
• Culturally attuned approaches to weight management in youth
*Dr. Kumar is a consultant with Rhythm Pharmaceuticals.
Management of childhood obesity through lifestyle interventions remains a challenge due to variable compliance and interpreting weight status outcomes, particularly in the context of broader health metrics. The goal of the Research Topic is to present the latest evidence on innovative as well as cost-effective strategies that can enhance the efficacy and feasibility of these interventions, particularly in at-risk youth. Another goal is to broaden the definition of “success” in pediatric weight management that goes beyond outcomes based primarily on anthropometric measures, such as impact of interventions on other aspects of physical and mental health as well as quality of life and psychosocial support.
We are particularly interested in original research, review, and mini review articles focused on the following themes:
• Impact of various lifestyle interventions (dietary interventions, physical activity, sleep, stress components) on insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk factors, including lipids
• Physical activity and risk for obesity related to endocrine conditions including diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, and dyslipidemia
• Broadening the definition of “success” in pediatric weight management
• Cost effective and novel enhancements to facilitate lifestyle modifications for weight management in children
• Innovative strategies including social media, digital interventions, and telemedicine to increase engagement of children with obesity
• Culturally attuned approaches to weight management in youth
*Dr. Kumar is a consultant with Rhythm Pharmaceuticals.
Keywords: Childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, pharmacotherapy, nutrition, telemedicine
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
