University of Florida Launches Pediatric Obesity Fellowship to Address National Health Crisis

By Ezra January 29, 2025
Alarm 2 Min Read
Copied
Featured

United States – The University of Florida (UF) College of Medicine has introduced a Pediatric Obesity Fellowship to combat the growing childhood obesity epidemic in the United States. With one in five US children and adolescents affected by obesity, the fellowship aims to train specialists in the prevention, assessment, and treatment of the condition.

This programme is only the second of its kind in the southeastern US and is designed to equip medical professionals with specialised knowledge in managing pediatric obesity—an area that primary care providers often struggle to address.

Urgent Need for Trained Specialists

Dr Angelina V. Bernier, director of the fellowship and UF’s Metabolic and Obesity Clinic, emphasised the critical demand for physicians trained in pediatric obesity medicine.

“Pediatric obesity is an escalating crisis in this country, and we need specialists who understand how to evaluate underlying conditions and apply effective treatment strategies,” she said. “Lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy, and even bariatric surgery, when appropriate, must be considered to help children struggling with this condition.”

She also highlighted a shortage of healthcare providers in this field, leading to a backlog of patients in Florida. The fellowship will focus on both medical and surgical interventions, offering a comprehensive learning experience.

Shaping the Future of Pediatric Care

Dr Shivani Berry, a 2024 fellow, expressed her passion for early intervention.

“For me, the biggest part of medicine is making a change through prevention,” she said. “If we teach children healthy habits early, they won’t need intensive interventions later in life.”

She added that UF’s academic environment is the perfect place to pioneer a programme that will continue to benefit future generations.

As childhood obesity rates continue to rise across the United States, UF’s fellowship is set to play a vital role in addressing this public health challenge, creating a new generation of paediatric obesity specialists ready to tackle the crisis.

More Articles