OBJECTIVETo determine the prevalence of metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) in children and examine the demographic, adiposity, and lifestyle predictors of MHO status. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSThis cross-sectional study included 8-17 year olds with a BMI ‡85th percentile who were enrolled in a multidisciplinary pediatric weight management clinic from 2005-2010. Demographic, anthropometric, lifestyle, and cardiometabolic data were retrieved by retrospective medical record review. Participants were dichotomized as either MHO or metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO) according to two separate classification systems based on: 1) insulin resistance (IR) and 2) cardiometabolic risk (CR) factors (blood pressure, serum lipids, and glucose). Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine predictors of MHO using odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs. RESULTSThe prevalence of MHO-IR was 31.5% (n = 57 of 181) and MHO-CR was 21.5% (n = 39 of 181). Waist circumference (OR 0.33 [95% CI 0.18-0.59]; P = 0.0002) and dietary fat intake (OR 0.56 [95% CI 0.31-0.95]; P = 0.04) were independent predictors of MHO-IR; moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (OR 1.80 [95% CI 1.24-2.62]; P = 0.002) was the strongest independent predictor of MHO-CR. CONCLUSIONSUp to one in three children with obesity can be classified as MHO. Depending on the definition, adiposity and lifestyle behaviors both play important roles in predicting MHO status. These findings can inform for whom health services for managing pediatric obesity should be prioritized, especially in circumstances when boys and girls present with CR factors.In Canada, numerous multidisciplinary clinics offer weight management care for children with obesity (1), most of which are affiliated with children's hospitals. The supply of these services is exceeded by the potential demand since there are .2 million young Canadians (2,3) who are either overweight or obese and eligible to receive health services in these clinics. Because of the demand for weight management care, in circumstances when services are limited or difficult to access, there is a need to prioritize service delivery in these specialized centers for those individuals who are at greatest cardiometabolic health risk. By distinguishing individuals with obesity based on their relative health risks, those at lower health risk can be guided to less intensive services (e.g., self-management resources or outpatient dietitian counseling), whereas their peers at higher health risk can be directed to more intensive services (e.g., multidisciplinary obesity management or bariatric surgery). The heterogeneous

Our purpose was to conduct a national environmental scan of pediatric weight management programs in Canada. Data were entered by program representatives regarding the history, structure, and function of their weight management programs using an online survey that our team developed in partnership with the Canadian Obesity Network ( www.obesitynetwork.ca ). Of the 18 programs that were identified, all included multidisciplinary teams that take a family-centred, lifestyle/behavioural therapeutic approach; health services were accessed primarily through physician referral. Most programs were launched in the past five years with public funding and enrolled ∼125 clients/year into one-on-one and/or group-based weight management care. Although many participated in research and were affiliated with academic institutions, most did not systematically evaluate their obesity-related programming. Based on these observations, recommendations related to program evaluation, health services delivery, and network collaborations are provided to inform future directions for research and clinical care that have both domestic and international relevance.

BackgroundOver recent decades, the prevalence of pediatric obesity has increased markedly in developed and developing countries, and the impact of obesity on health throughout the lifespan has led to urgent calls for action. Family-based weight management interventions that emphasize healthy lifestyle changes can lead to modest improvements in weight status of children with obesity. However, these interventions are generally short in duration, reported in the context of randomized controlled trials and there are few reports of outcomes of these treatment approaches in the clinical setting. Answering these questions is critical for improving the care of children with obesity accessing outpatient health services for weight management. In response, the CANadian Pediatric Weight management Registry (CANPWR) was designed with the following three primary aims:1. Document changes in anthropometric, lifestyle, behavioural, and obesity-related co-morbidities in children enrolled in Canadian pediatric weight management programs over a three-year period;2. Characterize the individual-, family-, and program-level determinants of change in anthropometric and obesity-related co-morbidities;3. Examine the individual-, family-, and program-level determinants of program attrition.Methods/DesignThis prospective cohort, multi-centre study will include children (2–17 years old; body mass index ≥85th percentile) enrolled in one of eight Canadian pediatric weight management centres. We will recruit 1,600 study participants over a three-year period. Data collection will occur at presentation and 6-, 12-, 24-, and 36-months follow-up. The primary study outcomes are BMI z-score and change in BMI z-score over time. Secondary outcomes include anthropometric (e.g., height, waist circumference,), cardiometabolic (e.g., blood pressure, lipid profile, glycemia), lifestyle (e.g., dietary intake, physical activity, sedentary activity), and psychosocial (e.g., health-related quality of life) variables. Potential determinants of change and program attrition will include individual-, family-, and program-level variables.DiscussionThis study will enable our interdisciplinary team of clinicians, researchers, and trainees to address foundational issues regarding the management of pediatric obesity in Canada. It will also serve as a harmonized, evidence-based registry and platform for conducting future intervention research, which will ultimately enhance the weight management care provided to children with obesity and their families.