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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)

Childhood Obesity

Group photo of clinical staff
 

Pediatric Obesity Webinar Series for Clinicians Caring for Indigenous Youth

Course Series Objectives:

  1. Identify strategies for implementing the Academy of American Pediatrics (AAP) Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) on evaluation and treatment of childhood obesity into practice in the primary care setting.
  2. Describe evidence-based treatments, including motivational interviewing, health behavior lifestyle change, and pharmacological and surgical management.
  3. Discuss the complex etiology of obesity, including the role of social determinants of health, impact of weight bias, and the role of the primary care clinician in the assessment of obesity and its comorbidities.

Target Audience

Physicians, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Physical Therapists, Nurses, Registered Dietitians, and Behavioral Health Providers

Continuing Education

1 hour of free Continuing Education Credit offered per session

Accredited Sponsor: IHS Clinical Support Center.

New Session 1: Understanding Obesity: A Strength-based Approach Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Tom Faber, MD
CAPT, US Public Health Service
Chief Medical Officer, Albuquerque Area Indian Health Service
Pediatrics Chief Clinical Consultant, Indian Health Service
Sandra G. Hassink, MD, FAAP
Medical Director
AAP Institute for Healthy Childhood Weight
(Originally presented on 04/10/25)

  • Added: 07/03/2025
  • Expires: 2028-06-30
  • Keywords: etiology, obesity, social determinants of health, socioecological drivers, obesity physiology, evaluation and assessment of obesity, clinical practice guidelines, patient case
  • Audience: Physicians, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Physical Therapists, Nurses, Registered Dietitians, and Behavioral Health Providers
  • Maintainer: Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)
  • Organization: Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)
  • SD Publisher: Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)
  • Description: This session will discuss the complex etiology of obesity including the social determinants of health, socioecological drivers, and obesity physiology. The evaluation and assessment of obesity will be covered in the context of clinical practice guidelines and a patient case.
  • Credit Hours: 1.00
  • CME/CE
  • Type: Webinar
  • CE Information
  • Handout
  • Video: Understanding Obesity: A Strength-based Approach

New Session 2: Identifying and Managing Obesity-related Conditions Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Ashley Weedn, MD, MPH
Associate Professor, Pediatrics Medical Director
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
(Originally presented on 04/17/25)

  • Added: 07/03/2025
  • Expires: 2028-06-30
  • Keywords: assessment, initial management, obesity-related conditions, children, adolescents, improving overall child health
  • Audience: Physicians, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Physical Therapists, Nurses, Registered Dietitians, and Behavioral Health Providers
  • Maintainer: Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)
  • Organization: Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)
  • SD Publisher: Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)
  • Description: This session will provide an overview of the assessment and initial management of obesity-related conditions in children and adolescents with a focus on improving overall child health.
  • Credit Hours: 1.00
  • CME/CE
  • Type: Webinar
  • CE Information
  • Handout
  • Video: Identifying and Managing Obesity-related Conditions

New Session 3: Using Motivational Interviewing in Treatment of Pediatric Obesity Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Misty Boyd, PhD
Senior Public Health Psychologist
Chickasaw Nation
(Originally presented on 04/24/25)

  • Added: 07/03/2025
  • Expires: 2028-06-30
  • Keywords: healthcare professionals, Motivational Interviewing (MI), pediatric obesity management, strategies to apply MI, family-based pediatric weight management, enhance intervention effectiveness, chronic condition
  • Audience: Physicians, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Physical Therapists, Nurses, Registered Dietitians, and Behavioral Health Providers
  • Maintainer: Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)
  • Organization: Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)
  • SD Publisher: Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)
  • Description: This session will provide healthcare professionals with essential knowledge about the effectiveness and use of Motivational Interviewing (MI) for pediatric obesity management. The session will include strategies to apply MI specifically within the context of family-based pediatric weight management to enhance intervention effectiveness for this chronic condition.
  • Credit Hours: 1.00
  • CME/CE
  • Type: Webinar
  • CE Information
  • Handout
  • Video: Using Motivational Interviewing in Treatment of Pediatric Obesity

New Session 4: Empowering Patients & Families for Success: Setting Goals in Pediatric Obesity Treatment Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

CDR Kayla Meeks Dewitt, PT, DPT, LSMC, TPS, CFPS
Empowered Living Manager
Chickasaw Nation Department of Health
Jeni Presley, LPC-S, PCIT-WAT
Empowered Living Family Therapist
Chickasaw Nation Department of Health
(Originally presented on 05/01/25)

  • Added: 07/03/2025
  • Expires: 2028-06-30
  • Keywords: healthcare professionals, essential tools, pediatric patients, managing obesity, personalized, realistic, and collaborative goal setting, integration of multiple disciplines, sustainable approach to treatment
  • Audience: Physicians, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Physical Therapists, Nurses, Registered Dietitians, and Behavioral Health Providers
  • Maintainer: Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)
  • Organization: Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)
  • SD Publisher: Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)
  • Description: This session will provide healthcare professionals with essential tools to support pediatric patients and their families in managing obesity through personalized, realistic, and collaborative goal setting. The integration of multiple disciplines will be emphasized to create a sustainable approach to treatment.
  • Credit Hours: 1.00
  • CME/CE
  • Type: Webinar
  • CE Information
  • Handout
  • Video: Empowering Patients & Families for Success: Setting Goals in Pediatric Obesity Treatment

New Session 5: Transforming Pediatric Obesity Care: The Power of Intensive Health Behavior and Lifestyle Treatment Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

CDR Kayla Meeks Dewitt, PT, DPT, LSMC, TPS, CFPS
Empowered Living Manager
Chickasaw Nation Department of Health
Jeni Presley, LPC-S, PCIT-WAT
Empowered Living Family Therapist
Chickasaw Nation Department of Health
(Originally presented on 05/08/25)

  • Added: 07/03/2025
  • Expires: 2028-06-30
  • Keywords: healthcare providers, knowledge, tools, strategies,implement, Intensive Health Behavior, Lifestyle Treatment (IHBLT), pediatric obesity care, evidence-based practices, multidisciplinary collaboration, patient-centered approaches, providers, pediatric obesity, improve overall patient outcomes
  • Audience: Physicians, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Physical Therapists, Nurses, Registered Dietitians, and Behavioral Health Providers
  • Maintainer: Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)
  • Organization: Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)
  • SD Publisher: Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)
  • Description: This session will provide healthcare providers with the knowledge, tools, and strategies necessary to implement the Intensive Health Behavior and Lifestyle Treatment (IHBLT) effectively in pediatric obesity care. Through evidence-based practices, multidisciplinary collaboration, and patient-centered approaches, providers will be equipped to tackle the rising rates of pediatric obesity and improve overall patient outcomes.
  • Credit Hours: 1.00
  • CME/CE
  • Type: Webinar
  • CE Information
  • Handout
  • Video: Transforming Pediatric Obesity Care: The Power of Intensive Health Behavior and Lifestyle Treatment

New Session 6: Expanding the Toolbox: Integrating Pharmacotherapy and Bariatric Surgery Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

LCDR Kali Autrey, PharmD, PhC, BCPS, NCPS
Health Insurance Specialist
DHHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(Originally presented on 05/15/25)

  • Added: 07/03/2025
  • Expires: 2028-06-30
  • Keywords: enhance pediatric obesity care, combining medications, bariatric surgery, lifestyle interventions, FDA-approved obesity treatments, surgical candidacyand preparation, strategies to create comprehensive, patient-centered care plans
  • Audience: Physicians, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Physical Therapists, Nurses, Registered Dietitians, and Behavioral Health Providers
  • Maintainer: Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)
  • Organization: Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)
  • SD Publisher: Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)
  • Description: This session explores how to enhance pediatric obesity care by combining medications, bariatric surgery, and lifestyle interventions. It covers FDA-approved obesity treatments, surgical candidacyand preparation, and strategies to create comprehensive, patient-centered care plans.
  • Credit Hours: 1.00
  • CME/CE
  • Type: Webinar
  • CE Information
  • Handout
  • Video: Expanding the Toolbox: Integrating Pharmacotherapy and Bariatric Surgery