Obesity, Eating Disorders and Healthy Weight During COVID-19

COVID-19 has had a variety of impacts on the pediatric population. In recent months, the Charting Pediatrics team has received multiple emails from pediatricians around the globe who are observing an increased number of patients struggling with weight stigma and eating disorders as the pandemic lingers on.

Listen to pediatric experts discuss obesity and eating disorders during COVID-19

In this episode Jennifer Hagman-Hazell, MD, and Matt Haemer, MD, join us to discuss how the ongoing pandemic is affecting children at risk of obesity and eating disorders.

Dr. Hagman-Hazell is Director of the Eating Disorder Program at Children’s Hospital Colorado and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Dr. Haemer helps lead the nutrition team at Children’s Colorado and is Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Nutrition at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

In this episode, our experts discuss:

• How the pandemic is impacting children’s weight and eating habits
• Ways that primary care providers can broach the topic of weight and eating habits with families
• How to engage children directly in conversations about weight
• Family-based therapy for anorexia nervosa
• Screening tools for primary care providers to identify children at risk of eating disorders
• What to know about eating disorders in males
• How to approach physical exams and laboratory workups in patients with obesity or possible eating disorders
• Strategies for preventing and considering hospitalization in children with eating disorders
• How to avoid refeeding syndrome in malnourished patients
• Resources for families with food insecurity
• How pediatricians can help families address healthy eating when a parent has a restricted diet

Resources for providers:

• Children’s Hospital Colorado: Pediatric Overweight and Obesity Management Clinical Pathway (Resources for screening and discussing health behaviors)
• Hunger Free Colorado
• Cooking Matters
• Fitness Blender
• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
• The Eating Disorders Outpatient Clinic at Children’s Colorado

Treatment of obesity and eating disorders at Children’s Colorado

The Weight Management Program at Children’s Colorado is the region’s leading pediatric weight management program. Our expert team has participated in national obesity studies, created national obesity guidelines and helps children of all ages with healthy weight management, including children with special needs.

The Eating Disorders Program at Children’s Colorado is the region’s most comprehensive center for evaluation and treatment of eating disorders in children, adolescents and young adults. Our pediatric medical and psychiatric experts help kids with a wide range of eating disorders through our unique approach to parent-supported nutrition.