What is the Childhood Obesity Treatment Toolkit?

The Childhood Obesity Prevention, Evaluation and Treatment Toolkit is your complete guide to preventing, evaluating, and treating childhood obesity built by Louisiana’s own experts at Pennington Biomedical Research Center and aligned with the 2023 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) clinical practice guidelines. This is a condensed and easy-to-read guide for healthcare providers to help prevent, diagnose, and treat children with obesity.

Whether you’re counseling a family for the first time or managing complex cases with comorbidities, this toolkit helps you:

  • Act early because “Watchful waiting” doesn’t work. Learn how to start evidence-based treatment as soon as a diagnosis is made.
  • Address the whole child from nutrition and physical activity to sleep, mental health, and social determinants of health.
  • Build trust using Motivational Interviewing techniques to encourage positive behavior change without stigma or shame.
  • Navigate complexity and confidently manage comorbidities like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and fatty liver disease alongside obesity care.
Pediatric Obesity Toolkit Doctor Looking at Computer

What's in the Obesity Toolkit?

This comprehensive, Louisiana-specific guide condenses hundreds of pages of clinical evidence into practical, ready-to-use tools you can integrate immediately into your practice:

1. Step-by-Step Clinical Guidance

  • Clear evaluation protocols for children ages 2–18
  • BMI classification charts & growth monitoring tips
  • Comorbidity screening and lab ordering guides

2. Motivational Interviewing Support

  • Prompts and conversation starters to engage families
  • Strategies for goal-setting and behavior change that stick
  • Language swaps to avoid weight bias and stigma

3. Prevention & Lifestyle Counseling Tools

4. Billing & Coding Made Easy

5. Advanced Treatment Pathways

  • When and how to consider pharmacotherapy
  • Referral criteria for pediatric metabolic and bariatric surgery
  • How to coordinate multidisciplinary care within the medical home

Popular Obesity Toolkit Highlights

Pediatric Obesity Visit Checklist - Obesity Toolkit

Pediatric Visit Checklist

Obesity Billing and Coding Quick Reference - Obesity Toolkit

Obesity Billing and Coding Quick Reference

Training Your Staff Using Person-First Language - Obesity Toolkit

Training Your Staff Using Person-First Language

Screening for Impaired Glucose Metabolism obesity toolkit glucose reference page

Screening for Impaired Glucose Metabolism

Why Providers Love the Toolkit

  • Aligned with 2023 AAP Guidelines: No need to sift through lengthy reports to find what matters most.
  • Quick Reference Format: Designed for busy primary care and pediatric settings.
  • Family-Centered & Non-Stigmatizing: Supports better engagement and long-term health outcomes.
  • Louisiana-Focused: Connects you with state resources, programs, and referral networks.

Your Role Has Never Been More Critical

Childhood obesity is one of Louisiana’s most pressing health challenges and pediatric healthcare providers are on the front lines. The Greaux Healthy Childhood Obesity Prevention, Evaluation & Treatment Toolkit gives you the knowledge, structure, and tools to deliver proven, compassionate care without adding extra stress to your already packed schedule. As a trusted healthcare provider, you have the power to reverse this trend. With the right tools, you can confidently deliver comprehensive obesity care that changes the trajectory of a child’s health for life.

Download the Toolkit Today Free for Louisiana healthcare providers through the Greaux Healthy initiative.

Get instant access to the full PDF of the Childhood Obesity Prevention, Evaluation & Treatment Toolkit with worksheets, checklists, patient education resources, and additional training and provider support.