Healthcare Providers

Doctors and health insurers have an important role to play in combating obesity. There is a need to provide patients with adequate resources and obesity preventative services. Working together, we can make a shift towards providing patients with enhanced resources and services to prevent obesity. This will allow healthcare providers and healthcare professionals to live up to their full potential and improve the health and well being of their patients.

According to the American Medical Association, patients often look to their physicians for recommendations when dealing with lifestyle issues such as overweight or obesity. However limited resources and time constraints often make it difficult for physicians to effectively communicate information to help initiate behavior change.

The following will provide health care providers with convenient, easy-to-use tools and information to help address obesity and other weight related issues with their patients.

1. Roadmaps for Clinical Practice series: Assessment and Management of Adult Obesity
Assessment and Management of Adult Obesity offers practical recommendations for addressing adult obesity in the primary care setting.


2. Measuring Your Adolescent Patient's Growth
Tools for physicians to use in their offices.


3. Tools for Calculating Body Mass Index (BMI)
BMI is a tool for comparing and analyzing the health effects of weight relative to height. It's just one of many factors used to predict a person's risk for disease associated with overweight and obesity.


4. Use and Interpretation of the CDC Growth Charts
This guide instructs health care providers on how to use and interpret the CDC Growth Charts to assess physical growth in children and adolescents.


5. Online CME on Childhood Obesity
With proper diagnosis and effective intervention, clinicians can play a significant and successful role in improving the health of the next generation, starting today. Discovery Health offers this online program free.


6. Implementing a Weight Loss Program for Overweight Children and Their Parents
Ronald Williams, MD, a pediatrics and internal medicine specialist at Penn State Children's Hospital, recommends five, easy steps towards a healthier lifestyle for overweight children and their parents.


7. One-Minute Advice for Providers
A guideline for discussions with an overweight or obese patient.


8. Doctors Fight Fat with Fitness Prescriptions
Hospital program involves detailed orders for exercise routines.


9. Green Prescriptions
A Green Prescription (GRx) is a Health Professional's written advice to a patient to be physically active, as part of the Patient's health management.


10. Your "Go for Green" Prescription
Website provides a simple to use green prescription pad.