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Baton Rouge, LA – A groundbreaking new resource is now available to health care providers in Louisiana, offering comprehensive, evidence-based strategies for childhood obesity prevention and treatment. Greaux Healthy—a public service initiative powered by Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in partnership with the State of Louisiana—has released the Childhood Obesity Prevention, Evaluation and Treatment Toolkit, designed to equip medical professionals with practical guidance for addressing childhood obesity and its associated health risks.
Developed in alignment with the 2023 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) clinical practice guidelines, the toolkit incorporates the latest scientific findings and real-world strategies to support pediatric care across diverse health care settings throughout Louisiana.
This free and accessible resource serves as a quick reference for evaluating obesity and provides actionable treatment approaches for children and adolescents facing challenges related to overweight and obesity.
Dr. Amanda Staiano, Director of Pennington Biomedical’s Pediatric Obesity and Health Behavior Laboratory and a key contributor to the toolkit, emphasized its significance: “The comprehensive nature of this toolkit provides pediatricians with a quick reference for evaluating childhood obesity and its comorbidities, as well as approaches for treating children and adolescents with overweight and obesity, all grounded in scientific evidence.”
The toolkit arrives at a critical time, addressing the growing need for streamlined, evidence-based resources in pediatric practice. Designed with user-friendliness in mind, it allows health care providers to efficiently integrate the latest research-backed protocols into their daily clinical routines, ultimately ensuring timely intervention and improved health outcomes for children.
Dr. Stewart T. Gordon, FAAP, a Pennington Biomedical Medical Investigator, highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating: “The Greaux Healthy team looks forward to working with all Louisiana pediatric health care professionals—including pediatricians, family physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dieticians, behavioral health providers, nurses, and health educators—to improve access to prevention, evaluation, and treatment of childhood obesity.”
Key Features of the Toolkit:
- Rapid Evaluation Protocols – Simplified guidelines for assessing obesity and its related health concerns.
- Step-by-Step Treatment Strategies – Evidence-based recommendations covering behavioral counseling, pharmacotherapy, and referrals for specialized care when necessary.
- Family-Centered Tools – Resources designed to help families implement lasting lifestyle changes to support children’s long-term health.
Louisiana currently ranks third in the nation for childhood obesity, highlighting the urgent need for improved prevention and treatment strategies. Dr. John Kirwan, Executive Director of Pennington Biomedical, stressed the importance of proactive intervention: “Waiting or delaying treatment is not an option when it comes to childhood obesity. Our goal is to provide health care providers with the tools they need to make informed decisions and offer comprehensive, effective treatment to improve the health and future of our children.”
The Childhood Obesity Prevention, Evaluation and Treatment Toolkit is available for download, providing Louisiana’s health care professionals with vital resources to combat childhood obesity and improve the well-being of young patients.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Health care providers are encouraged to consult the full toolkit and relevant clinical guidelines before implementing any treatment recommendations.
