A National Call to Action for a Feasible Equitable Approach to Childhood Obesity.

Abstract

* Abbreviation: USPSTF — : US Preventive Services Task Force In this issue of Pediatrics , Smith et al1 describe the challenges with implementing the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation for obesity screening in children and adolescents and offering or referring patients and families to behavioral interventions to promote weight improvement. The authors posit that effective behavioral interventions are not feasible to routinely deliver, and this challenge further exacerbates existing health inequities. The mission of the USPSTF is to make recommendations about clinical preventive services using a transparent, rigorous, and objective methodology. This approach ensures that clinicians and patients understand the evidence. On the basis of the certainty of the evidence and the magnitude of net benefits (eg, benefits minus harms), the USPSTF issues an A, B, C, or D grade or I statement. For clinicians, A and B grades mean to offer routinely, C means to selectively offer, D means to not routinely offer, and I is insufficient evidence to recommend … Address correspondence to Alex H. Krist, MD, MPH, 3825 Charles Stewart Dr, Fairfax, VA 22033. E-mail: alexander.krist{at}vcuhealth.org, 703-391-2020