Psychological Approaches to th

This book offers a comprehensive review of current research and theoretical approaches​ to pediatric obesity. 

Pediatric obesity is a significant public health concern that currently affects 1 in 5 children and adolescents. Prevention and treatment of this complex health condition requires a multifaceted approach that acknowledges the intersecting roles of gender, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and other factors that play key roles in the onset and maintenance of pediatric obesity. Written for mental health clinicians, as well as medical practitioners such as physicians, nurses, dietitians, and exercise physiologists who care for children and adolescents, this helpful resource offers a comprehensive review of current research and theoretical approaches, as well as clear descriptions of effective strategies to prevent and treat pediatric obesity.

Through a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the authors incorporate cutting edge research and their extensive clinical experience and expertise as they review evidence-based treatments that can be incorporated into various settings, including primary care, mental health, and specialty medical care clinics as well as schools and community organizations. With a special focus on psychological factors, including mental health conditions that frequently co-occur with pediatric obesity, this book incorporates case examples, treatment guidelines, and reproducible handouts to make addressing pediatric obesity more accessible to clinicians and practitioners.

Dr. Crystal S. Lim is chair and associate professor in the Department of Health Psychology in the College of Health Sciences at the University of Missouri. She has been working with children with overweight and obesity and their caregivers for more than 15 years in community-based and clinical settings. Dr. Lim is a licensed psychologist and is board certified in clinical child and adolescent psychology. She provides psychological services focused on weight management to youth and families. She's the director of the Mizzou Health Psychology Research Lab where she conducts research that examines medical and psychological comorbidities in pediatric obesity and develops, implements, and evaluates family-based weight management interventions. Dr. Lim is actively involved in training undergraduate and graduate students, psychology interns, and postdoctoral fellows in clinical service, research, and professional development. Dr. Lim received her PhD in clinical psychology from Georgia State University and completed postdoctoral training in pediatric psychology at the University of Florida.

 

Dr. E. Thomaseo Burton is affiliated with the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Perelman School of Medicine, at the University of Pennsylvania. Trained as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Burton’s research seeks to develop and implement high-quality and culturally relevant behavioral interventions for children, adolescents, and their families with overweight, obesity, and related cardiometabolic comorbidities; he has a particular interest in mindfulness-based interventions. Dr. Burton serves as pediatric psychologist for the Healthy Weight Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He is committed to increasing representation of psychologists of color, and actively mentors and supervises psychology trainees from high school to postdoctoral fellowship. Dr. Burton earned his PhD in clinical psychology from Purdue University as well as master of public health degree with a focus on community health. He completed his postdoctoral training in pediatric obesity at Boston Children’s Hospital/ Harvard Medical School. Dr. Burton is board certified in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology.