NEW ORLEANS – In response to the rising rates of overweight and obesity among children, the American Academy of Pediatrics has launched a new institute to provide pediatricians with tools and resources to fight the epidemic.
The Institute for Healthy Childhood Weight is housed within the AAP and is funded by government grants and corporate sponsors.
"Over the past decade we’ve been building the effort, and this institute serves to integrate the obesity efforts across the academy," said Dr. Sandra Hassink, chair of the institute’s steering committee.
In a video interview, Dr. Hassink, who is the director of the Nemours Obesity Initiative at Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del., further explained the role of the Institute, and talked about how it can benefit pediatricians and their practices:
Dr. Hassink said she had no disclosures.