Dr. Sandra Hassink is joined by Dr. Joey Skelton, a professor of pediatrics, and of epidemiology and prevention, at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Together they discuss Dr. Skelton's new book, Your Child is Not their Weight.
The Institute for Healthy Childhood Weight, in partnership with Bright Futures, has created a pilot podcast series called Conversations About Care. The focus of the series is to highlight pragmatic and lively conversations between health care providers. Host Sandy Hassink, MD, FAAP dialogs with guests about important themes in practice associated with healthy childhood weight and related practical strategies and resources to support patient-centered care within the changing landscape of medicine and social norms.*
Episode 35
Dr. Sandra Hassink is joined by Dr. Joey Skelton, a professor of pediatrics, and of epidemiology and prevention, at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Together they discuss Dr. Skelton's new book, Your Child is Not their Weight.
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Episode 34
In this episode, we present a recording of the Patient Panel from the 2025 Section on Obesity, Pediatric Obesity Management Virtual Course. This includes two enlightening patient conversations. The first features Dr. Syed in discussion with her patient, Marissa, who has undergone obesity treatment. The second conversation involves Dr. Queen and Ms. Henry, the mother of a young child who has also received obesity treatment. Together, these discussions will showcase the importance of the patient-provider relationship and the impact of obesity treatment.
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Episode 33
Dr. Sandra Hassink is joined by Dr. Sarah Hampl, Professor of Pediatrics at Children's Mercy in Kansas City, Center for Children's Healthy Lifestyles and Nutrition, and lead author on the 2023 Clinical Practice Guideline on Obesity. Dr. Hassink is also joined by Dr. Sarah Barlow, Professor of Pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, and executive council member on the section on obesity (SOOb). Together they discuss the 2025 AAP National Conference and Exhibition (NCE).
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Episode 32
Dr. Sandra Hassink is joined by Dr. Pooja Tandon, a pediatrician and professor at the University of Washington, and Dr. Danette Glassy, a retired primary care pediatrician and co-founder of BestStart Washington. Together, they discuss the book Digging into Nature and the positive impact of outdoor time on children and families.
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Episode 31
Dr. Sandra Hassink is joined by Dr. Kimberly Montez, a general pediatrician and author on the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Toolkit for Pediatricians to Address Food Security. Together, they discuss the impact of food insecurity on children, how pediatricians can assess families for food insecurity, and the new EQUIPP module on promoting food security.
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Episode 30
Dr. Sandra Hassink is joined by general pediatrician Kimberly Avila Edwards, MD, FAAP and registered dietician Ashley Carter, RD, LDN. Together, they share valuable insights on the significance of respecting diverse food traditions while encouraging balanced and nutritious meals. This episode will explore specific strategies for integrating these concepts into care, as well as ways to involve the entire family in the discussion.
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The AAP gratefully acknowledges support for the Nourish & Flourish Speaker's Kit, and this podcast episode, from the Dairy Management Inc.
Episode 29
Dr. Sandra Hassink is joined by Dr. Asheley C. Skinner, Professor of Population Health at Duke University School of Medicine. Dr. Skinner also served as the methodologist on the Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for the Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Obesity. Together, they discuss the evidence behind the CPG.
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Episode 28
Dr. Sandra Hassink is joined by Dr. Sarah Barlow, a professor of pediatrics at UT Southwestern in Dallas and head of the children's hospital integrated programs on obesity. Together, they discuss the new Healthy Eating Research consensus recommendations on healthy beverage consumption.
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Episode 27
Dr. Sandra Hassink is joined by Dr. Faith Heeren, a Postdoctoral Fellow at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Dr. Heeren, once a pediatric patient at the Duke Healthy Lifestyles Clinic, is now a patient advocate and researcher focused on clinical interventions for adolescent obesity. Together, they discuss Dr. Heeren's journey and experiences with obesity treatment.
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Episode 26
Dr. Sandra Hassink is joined by Dr. Anna Tanner, a board-certified pediatrician who specializes in the care of patients with eating disorders. Together they discuss childhood growth, eating disorders, and growth charts.
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Episode 25
Dr. Sandra Hassink is joined by Dr. Lauren Fiechtner, the Director of Nutrition at MassGeneral Hospital for Children in the Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition. She is also the Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Together they discuss early feeding and food introduction.
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Episode 24
Dr. Sandra Hassink is joined by Dr. Ryan Buchholz, a Primary Care Pediatrician and Chief Medical and Quality Officer at a Community Health Center in Washington DC, as well as the Moderator and Abstract Chair for the Innovations in Obesity Prevention, Assessment, and Treatment Forum (IOPAT). Dr. Hassink is also joined by Dr. Sarah Barlow, Professor of Pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas and Program Chair for the SOOb H-Program.
Together they unpack the 2024 AAP National Conference and Exhibition (NCE).
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Episode 23
Dr. Sandra Hassink is joined by Dr. Kimberly Avila Edwards, Associate Chair of Advocacy in the Department of Pediatrics at Dell Medical School. Together they discuss the new, free module series "Building a Foundation for Healthy Active Living."
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Episode 22
Dr. Sandra Hassink is joined by Dr. Mona Sharifi, and Dr. Sarah Armstrong. Dr. Sharifi is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics (General Pediatrics) and of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science, at the Yale University School of Medicine; as well as the Chief of Pediatrics. Dr. Armstrong is a Professor of Pediatrics and Populations Health Sciences, and the Division Chief of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health at Duke.
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Episode 21
Dr. Hassink is joined by Ted Kyle, a healthcare professional, advocate, advisor and founder of ConscienHealth.
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Episode 20
In this episode, we are sharing a conversation between two patients and their provider as they discuss their experiences with obesity treatment. This episode will explore how important the patient provider relationship is, tips on what makes a good interaction, and how treatment can impact a patient’s quality of life.
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Episode 19
Dr. Hassink is joined by Dr. Vinny Biggs, a general pediatrician and director of the Holyoke Health Center, pediatric weight management program.
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Episode 18
Dr. Hassink is joined by Dr. Michelle J. White, MD, MPH a primary author on the new policy statement, The Built Environment and Pediatric Health.
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Episode 17
Dr. Hassink is joined by Dr. Natalie Muth and Dr. Christopher Bolling, primary authors on the new clinical report, The Role of the Pediatrician in the Promotion of Healthy, Active Living.
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Episode 14
Dr. Hassink is joined by Dr. Siddiqua, a primary care pediatrician who is board certified in pediatrics and obesity medicine. She works in a private practice with her husband in Houston, Texas.
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Episode 13
Dr. Hassink is joined by Dr. Mona Sharifi and Dr. Dan Imler. Mona was a member of the CPG Obesity Subcommittee and is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Yale University School of Medicine, and of Health informatics at Yale School of Health. Dan is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Hospital Medicine at Stanford University, and the founder of Curbside Health. They discuss a high-level overview and introduction to the new Obesity CPG Pathway.
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Episode 12
Dr. Hassink is joined by Dr. Alyson Goodman, a Commander in the U.S. Public Health Service and medical epidemiologist at the CDC who is a federal liaison to the Section on Obesity Executive Committee and was a liaison to the CPG Obesity Subcommittee. They discuss BMI, growth charts and the newly revised extended growth charts.
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Episode 11
Dr. Hassink is joined by Dr. Ashley Weedn, a member of the CPG authoring subcommittee, who is also the Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma, the Medical Director of the Healthy Futures Clinic, and the Director of pediatric obesity research in the department of pediatrics. They discuss comorbid conditions associated with pediatric obesity.
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Episode 10
Dr. Hassink is joined by Dr. Angela Fals, Medical Director of the Pediatric Weight and Wellness Clinic at Advent Health in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Fals is also a certified Culinary Medicine Specialist.
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Episode 9
Dr. Hassink is joined by Dr. Katie Queen, a pediatrician board certified in obesity medicine. She is the Medical Director for the Center for Weight and Nutrition for Our Lady of Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, and works in a pediatric clinic in Bogalusa, Louisiana.
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Episode 8
Dr. Hassink is joined by Dr. Natalie Muth and Cassandra Padgett. Dr. Muth is a pediatrician and Cassandra is a Senior Health Educator at the Well Clinic at Children’s Primary Care Medical Group in San Diego.
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Episode 7
Dr Hassink is joined by Dr. Marc Michalsky to discuss metabolic and bariatric surgery. Dr. Michalsky is the Director for the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition at Nationwide Children's Hospital and a Professor of Surgery at Ohio State.
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Episode 6
Dr Hassink is joined by Doug Lunsford to discuss his personal experiences as a parent of a child who underwent obesity treatment. Doug was also the parent liaison on the CPG writing committee. Doug Lunsford is the Director of Student Services in Northfolk School District, a patient representative, and an advocate.
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Episode 5
In this episode, Dr. Hassink is joined by Dr. Claudia Fox to discuss the use of pharmacotherapy. Dr. Fox is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics, and Co-Director of the Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Fox is also a member of the Section on Obesity Executive Committee.
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Episode 4
In this episode, Dr. Hassink is joined by Dr. Sarah Armstrong to talk about partnering with Parks and Recreation to help facilitate healthier behavior lifestyle and treatment. Dr. Armstrong is a Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Duke Healthy Lifestyle Clinic. She is also a member of the CPG authoring group.
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Episode 3
In this episode, we are sharing a conversation between three patients and their providers as they discuss their experiences with obesity treatment. This episode will explore how important the patient provider relationship is, tips on what makes a good interaction, and how treatment can impact a patient’s quality of life.
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Episode 2
In this episode, Dr. Hassink is joined by Chris Bolling to discuss how he integrated obesity treatment into his Primary Care Clinic. Dr. Bolling is a pediatrician and founding partner at Pediatric Associates in Crestview Hills, KY. Dr. Bolling served as the Chair of the Executive Committee for the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Obesity and the Obesity Task Force Chair for the Kentucky Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Bolling was also a member of the authoring CPG subcommittee.
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Episode 1
This episode is part of the CPG Implementation Podcast Series. In this episode, Dr. Hassink is joined by Dr. Sarah Hampl to discuss the release of the AAP Clinical Practice Guideline on the Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Obesity. Sarah is a professor of pediatrics at Children's Mercy of Kansas City and the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine. She practices obesity medicine at the center for Children's Healthy Lifestyle and Nutrition and was the chair for the CPG subcommittee that wrote the new obesity guidance.
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We're excited to launch a podcast series on the release of the Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Obesity. Stay tuned for multiple episodes.
Episode 16
In this episode Dr. Hassink is joined by Dr. Joe Wright, the Chief Health Equity Officer for the University of Maryland, a current member of the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Chair of the AAP Board’s Committee on Equity. Dr Wright shares some highlights from the new AAP policy statement on eliminated race-based medicine and provides ways pediatricians can continue to elevate such topics within their practice, to help move the needle towards equity in healthcare for all children. [Transcription]
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Episode 15
In this episode Dr. Hassink is joined by Dr. Stanley Sack, a pediatrician, and medical writer, out of Florida, who over the past several years has been thinking about how pediatricians in rural areas can support obesity prevention and treatment concerns. Dr. Sack shares his passion for obesity prevention and care, as well as some of the successes and frustrations of working in a rural setting. [Transcription]
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Episode 14
In this episode Dr. Hassink is joined by Dr. Thresia Gambon, a primary care pediatrician and Eatable Alphabet grantee, to take a deeper look at obesity prevention and how Dr. Gambon is trying to change the way she talks to families about food. [Transcription]
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Episode 13
In this episode Dr. Hassink is joined by Dr. Mike Dedekian, a pediatric endocrinologist, to take a deeper look at the increased prevalence of children with obesity developing pre-diabetes and diabetes; and the importance of building a multi-disciplinary care team for obesity care. (Released: April 2022) [Transcription]
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Episode 12
In this episode Dr. Hassink is joined by Dr. Sarah Armstrong and Dr. Jennifer Groos two general pediatricians and active AAP members to discuss how the pandemic has impacted their patients. (Released: December 2021) [Transcription]
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Episode 11
In this episode Dr. Hassink is joined by Dr. Stephen Cook, associate professor of pediatrics and internal medicine at the Golisano Children's Hospital, to discuss weight bias and stigma in children and adolescents. (Released: October 2021) [Transcription]
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Episode 10
In this episode Dr. Hassink sits down with Dr. Amy Christison, pediatrician and Director of the Healthy Kids U Weight Management Clinic at the University of Illinois Medical School, to discuss the impact screen time is having on children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Released: July 2021) [Transcription]
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Episode 9
In this episode Dr. Hassink sits down with Sally Sampson, Director of ChopChop Family, to discuss the importance of cooking, supporting food introduction and exploration through activities, and how pediatricians can support families with early nutrition choices through education, using simple tools and resources and channeling their own cooking experiences. (Released: June 2021) [Transcription]
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Bonus Episode
In this bonus episode Dr. Hassink sits down with Victoria Rogers, MD, FAAP and Ihuoma Eneli, MD to discuss two new pieces of interim guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, focused on obesity prevention, management and ongoing treatment during the time of COVID-19. Dr. Rogers is the Director of Let's Go in Maine and Dr. Eneli is the Director for the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition with Nationwide's Children Hospital. In this conversation, they discuss the new guidance and the role of pediatricians during the pandemic. (Released: March 2021) [Transcription]
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Episode 8
In this episode Dr. Hassink is joined by Tamara Hannon, MD, FAAP who is a professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine and a practicing Endocrinologist at Riley Children's Hospital. Dr. Hannon is also a member of the Committee on Nutrition. In this discussion they talk about the updated nutrition food labels and how pediatricians can talk about these new changes with families to help inform healthier food choices. (Released: November 2020) [Transcription]
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Episode 7
In this episode Dr. Hassink is joined by Blaise A. Nemeth, MD, MS who is an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin - Madison and a non-operative pediatric orthopedics and pediatric obesity expert. Dr. Nemeth is also the lead author of the AAP policy titled “Physical Activity Assessment and Counseling in Pediatric Clinical Settings". In this discussion they talk about various strategies for encouraging physical activity in patients while remaining sensitive to their unique needs and concerns. (Released: August 2020) [Transcription]
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Episode 6
In this conversation Dr. Hassink is joined by Joseph A. Skelton, MD, MS for a discussion on patient retention strategies for obesity care. Dr. Skelton has a wealth of experience as a Professor of Pediatrics, and of Epidemiology and Prevention, at Wake Forest School of Medicine. He also serves as Director of Brenner FIT® program, and as Associate Director of the Program in Community Engagement. (Released: August 2020) [Transcription]
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Episode 5
In this episode Dr. Hassink speaks with Ihuoma Eneli, MD, MS, FAAP who is a Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and a Director of the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition at Nationwide Children's Hospital about the importance cultural considerations in clinical care. They discuss how medical care providers can create a culturally sensitive environment for meeting their patients' unique needs, and build a lasting and meaningful patient-physician relationship. (Released: July 2020) [Transcription]
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Bonus Episode
In this bonus episode Dr. Hassink speaks with three colleagues about how obesity care is being adapted and delivered during these unprecedented times. The podcast will explore our guests' experiences and lessons learned as they adapt to delivering care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sarah Armstrong, MD, FAAP will start off by sharing her experiences implementing telehealth for the first time, Sarah Hampl, MD, FAAP share stories about how they have leveraged telehealth as part of obesity treatment previously and how they are leveraging it during COVID-19 and finally Victoria Rogers, MD, FAAP shares stories about some innovations and opportunities they have identified for obesity prevention and treatment. (Released: May 2020) [Transcription]
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Episode 4
In this conversation Dr. Hassink is joined by Jennifer Groos, MD, FAAP who is a lead physician for 5210 Health Care projects at United Way of Central Iowa and the Iowa Medical Society. Dr. Groos also serves as Lead Faculty for the Childhood Obesity in Primary Care quality improvement project. They discuss the importance of Weight for Length (WFL), tracking WFL with regard to obesity, when to intervene, and more. (Released: April 2020) [Transcription]
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Episode 3
In this conversation Sandy is joined by Natalie Muth, MD, RDN, MPH, FAAP, a dual-board certified pediatrician, registered dietitian, obesity medicine physician and a lead author of the AAP policy titled "Public Policies to Reduce Sugary Drink Consumption in Children and Adolescents". Dr. Muth is also the current Chair of the AAP Section on Obesity. Sandy and Natalie discuss current recommendations and strategies for addressing sugary drink consumption with families in a primary care setting. They also discuss national policy and advocacy recommendations that are on the horizon. (Released: January 2020 [Transcription]
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Episode 2
In this conversation Sandy is joined by Ryan Buchholz, MD, FAAP, a primary care pediatrician at the Upper Cardozo Health Center in Washington DC. Sandy and Ryan discuss food insecurity as a social determinant of health, and go over examples of what food insecurity may look like for different families. They also share ideas and challenges about screening tools, use of local and national resources, and hopes for the future. (Released: November 2019) [Transcription]
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Bonus Episode
Victoria Rogers, MD, FAAP and Jennifer Groos, MD, FAAP meet to reflect on the 2019 Innovations in Obesity Prevention, Assessment and Treatment Forum at the AAP National Conference and Exhibition. (Released: November 2019) [Transcription]
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Episode 1
In this conversation with Chris Bolling, MD, FAAP, a primary care pediatrician from Kentucky and Chair of the Section on Obesity, Sandy and Chris discuss their challenges and solutions to addressing picky eating with patients and families. (Released: September 2019) [Transcription]
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*The views, information, resources, or opinions expressed during the Conversations in Care podcast series are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily represent those of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The topics included in these podcasts do not indicate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as a standard of medical care. Variations, taking into account individual circumstances, may be appropriate. The primary purpose of this podcast is explore common themes related to quality pediatric care from the perspective of clinicians. This podcast series does not constitute medical or other professional advice or services. This podcast is available for private, non-commercial us only. Advertising which is incorporated into, placed in association with, or targeted toward the content of this podcast, without the express approval and knowledge of the American Academy of Pediatrics podcast developers is forbidden. You may not edit, modify or redistribute this podcast.
07/29/2025
American Academy of Pediatrics