The Promise and Opportunities for Screening and Treating Childhood Obesity: USPSTF Recommendation Statement

The publication of the recommendation statement¹ and evidence review² by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on screening for obesity in children is a call to arms to address a prevalent disorder that has immediate health consequences and sets the affected children on a trajectory for a myriad of behavioral and physical health challenges later in life. The USPSTF presents a balanced set of recommendations to guide pediatricians and health care practitioners in managing this public health crisis that they confront on a daily basis. We will briefly review the recommendations and highlight important issues in implementation.