Nondiet Weight-Neutral Curricula Limited in Current Accredited US Dietetic Programs.

OBJECTIVE: Determine awareness and prevalence of, and interest in nondiet weight-neutral (NDWN) focused curriculum and factors associated with the presence in accredited dietetic programs throughout the US. METHODS: Online cross-sectional survey sent to directors of US Coordinated Programs (n = 60) and Didactic Programs in Dietetics (n = 214). RESULTS: 116 programs (42%) responded, 95% reported knowledge of NDWN approaches to weight management like Health at Every Size. Most schools (72%) included NDWN in their curriculum, mostly in a single lecture (53%). Most respondents (74%) reported interest in an NDWN curriculum. Common factors for not including NDWN were: lack of trained and knowledgeable staff (35%) and insufficient space in the curriculum to incorporate additional topics (35%). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Most knew of NDWN approaches and included in curricula but only as 1 lecture. Faculty training and curriculum flexibility may help support the increased incorporation of NDWN approaches.

Hypertension in Low-Income Adolescents.

Disadvantaged adolescents are at higher risk for undiagnosed and untreated obesity and hypertension. Using nurse-measured weight, height, and blood pressure (BP) as well as self-reported age and activity/lifestyle behaviors, we assessed the prevalence of obesity and hypertension in 573 adolescent patients aged 13.0 to 17.9 years (females: n = 267, 46.6%; males: n = 306, 53.4%) from a clinic serving low-income, ethnically diverse pediatric patients. Body mass index distribution was as follows: 11, underweight (1.9%); 330, healthy weight (57.6%); 105, overweight (18.3%); and 127, obese (22.2%). The age-adjusted height percentile was normally distributed, but distribution by BP category was 326 normotensive (56.9%), 147 prehypertensive (25.7%), 60 with stage 1 hypertension (10.5%), and 40 with stage 2 hypertension (7.0%). Activity and lifestyle behaviors did not adequately explain obesity and hypertension rates. Efforts to prevent/reduce childhood overweight, obesity, and hypertension in underserved populations need to include dietary education, weight control interventions, and physical activity programs specifically tailored to overweight/obese youth and parents.

Using the family to combat childhood and adult obesity.

The purpose of this article is to emphasize the value of the family as a source of behavior change, particularly with respect to attaining achievable goals of weight loss and regular physical activity for youth and their families. We present a review of the literature, providing support for the value of the family in influencing children to form good diet and exercise behaviors and as a source of support and motivation for individuals seeking to lose or control their weight and to start and maintain a physically active lifestyle. Recognizing the importance of family behavior in the development of weight control and weight loss activities is essential. Future work should focus on identifying measurable parameters of family-level weight control behaviors and ways to apply those parameters to help create new interventions that use the strengths of the family for achieving weight control goals.