Paediatric obesity is on the rise, affecting nearly one-third of Canadian children.
In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino interviews Dr. Tasneem Sajwani, a family physician specializing in obesity medicine. They break down Canada’s new paediatric obesity guidelines and discuss effective strategies for families.
The conversation explores the complexities of obesity, which is not simply about lifestyle choices but a chronic health condition.
Dr. Sajwani explains the role of mental health and environmental factors, which contribute significantly to obesity in children. She also highlights how families can communicate more effectively about health, focusing on well-being rather than weight.
Dr. Sajwani, who is also the Medical Director of the Edmonton Weight Management Centre and co-author of the Canadian Paediatric Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines, shares evidence-based insights and provides guidance for parents to approach childhood obesity with compassion,.
Key Takeaways
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Pediatric obesity is a complex, chronic condition that requires compassionate, evidence-based care, not just lifestyle changes.
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The latest Canadian guidelines emphasize quality of life over weight loss when managing pediatric obesity.
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Open communication between parents and children about health is essential. Focus should be on overall well-being, not just weight.
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Access to specialized care for pediatric obesity is limited, which calls for advocacy and healthcare system improvements.
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Stigma surrounding obesity can hinder access to care. It’s important to create supportive and understanding environments for affected families.
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Involving children in healthy lifestyle choices empowers them. Shifting the focus from weight to health promotes independence and self-discipline.
DR. TASNEEM SAJWANI
Family Physician
Obesity Medicine Physician
Medical Director, Edmonton Weight Management Centre
Co-author, Canadian Pediatric Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines
Mother of 1
aletheamedical.com
obesitycanada.ca
“now we have a true understanding that obesity is a chronic, progressive, complex, multifactorial disease and it is something that deserves evidence based care. And on top of that, there’s been this tremendous data and information around the understanding of the biological, the psychosocial and the environmental drivers of obesity. So there is a lot of new information that needs to be brought forward.”