Perspectives on the new guideline for managing obesity in children
04/21/25 • 31 min
It’s been nearly two decades since the last Canadian clinical practice guideline on managing obesity in children. In that time, the science has advanced, treatment options have expanded, and the need for updated guidance has grown increasingly urgent. On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, hosts Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham speak with three guests who contributed to or were impacted by the new guideline published in CMAJ. Together, they explore how the recommendations address the complexity of pediatric obesity and what it takes to implement them in real-world settings.
Dr. Geoff Ball, chair of the guideline steering committee, explains how the recommendations were shaped by evidence as well as the meaningful participation of parents and youth at every stage of development. He discusses how the panel weighed the benefits and risks of pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery in the context of limited pediatric data and a rapidly evolving treatment landscape.
Dr. Michelle Jackman, a pediatrician and clinical lead at the Pediatric Centre for Wellness and Health in Calgary, shares how her team delivers multi-component behavioural interventions, often in the absence of system-wide supports. She reflects on how the new guideline has prompted her to reconsider referral pathways for bariatric surgery and advocate more strongly for patients.
Brenndon Goodman, a long-time patient advocate, offers his own experience navigating childhood obesity, including the emotional dimensions of eating, the impact of stigma, and the life-changing outcome of bariatric surgery. He calls for improved access to care and a stronger commitment to children and youth living with obesity.
This episode highlights both the progress and the persistent barriers in treating childhood obesity. The new guideline affirms that obesity is a complex chronic condition and provides much-needed support for physicians caring for children and youth living with it.
For more information from our sponsor, go to scotiabank.com/physicians.
Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast.
You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @Drmojolaomole
X (in English): @CMAJ
X (en français): @JAMC
Facebook
Instagram: @CMAJ.ca
The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions
It’s been nearly two decades since the last Canadian clinical practice guideline on managing obesity in children. In that time, the science has advanced, treatment options have expanded, and the need for updated guidance has grown increasingly urgent. On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, hosts Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham speak with three guests who contributed to or were impacted by the new guideline published in CMAJ. Together, they explore how the recommendations address the complexity of pediatric obesity and what it takes to implement them in real-world settings.
Dr. Geoff Ball, chair of the guideline steering committee, explains how the recommendations were shaped by evidence as well as the meaningful participation of parents and youth at every stage of development. He discusses how the panel weighed the benefits and risks of pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery in the context of limited pediatric data and a rapidly evolving treatment landscape.
Dr. Michelle Jackman, a pediatrician and clinical lead at the Pediatric Centre for Wellness and Health in Calgary, shares how her team delivers multi-component behavioural interventions, often in the absence of system-wide supports. She reflects on how the new guideline has prompted her to reconsider referral pathways for bariatric surgery and advocate more strongly for patients.
Brenndon Goodman, a long-time patient advocate, offers his own experience navigating childhood obesity, including the emotional dimensions of eating, the impact of stigma, and the life-changing outcome of bariatric surgery. He calls for improved access to care and a stronger commitment to children and youth living with obesity.
This episode highlights both the progress and the persistent barriers in treating childhood obesity. The new guideline affirms that obesity is a complex chronic condition and provides much-needed support for physicians caring for children and youth living with it.
For more information from our sponsor, go to scotiabank.com/physicians.
Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast.
You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @Drmojolaomole
X (in English): @CMAJ
X (en français): @JAMC
Facebook
Instagram: @CMAJ.ca
The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions
Previous Episode
How short-term opioid prescriptions affect long-term outcomes
A recent article in CMAJ entitled Effect of emergency department opioid prescribing on health outcomes examines a key concern facing many clinicians: can a single opioid prescription for acute pain lead to long-term harm? This study aimed to clarify the risks and inform safer prescribing practices.
Dr. Grant Innes, the study’s senior author, analyzed more than a decade of data from Alberta emergency departments to compare outcomes between patients who did and did not receive an opioid prescription. The study found no significant difference in rates of overdose, opioid use disorder, or death—challenging widely held fears about short-term opioid use. Innes notes that older and opioid-naive patients may be more vulnerable to adverse outcomes and encourages a balanced approach to pain management.
Dr. Hance Clarke, director of pain services at Toronto General Hospital, emphasizes the importance of structured follow-up and monitoring, especially for patients at higher risk of persistent use. He outlines practical strategies for safe prescribing and highlights underused and emerging alternatives, including ketamine, IV lidocaine, nerve blocks, and sodium channel blockers now in development. Clarke warns against “opioid phobia” and calls for individualized care supported by systems that can detect early warning signs.
The guests encourage physicians to not avoid prescribing opioids when clinically indicated, particularly in cases of severe acute pain. With thoughtful screening and mechanisms for follow-up, opioids can be relatively safe and effective. The goal is not zero prescribing, but safer, smarter prescribing.
Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast.
You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @Drmojolaomole
X (in English): @CMAJ
X (en français): @JAMC
Facebook
Instagram: @CMAJ.ca
The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions
CMAJ Podcasts - Perspectives on the new guideline for managing obesity in children
Transcript
Dr. Mojola Omole
I'm Mojola Omole.
Dr. Blair Bigham
And I'm Blair Bigham. This is the CMAJ podcast.
Dr. Mojola Omole
So Blair, today we are talking about a very new, exciting guideline that was published in the CMAJ about pediatric obesity.
Dr. Blair Bigham
It is robust, Jola. The authors, and there's many of them, have obviously put hundreds and hundreds of hours i
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