Certificate of Training in Obesity for Pediatrics and Adults: Pre-work Modules

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the key obesity-related physiological and metabolic pathways.
• Describe how adipose tissue functions as an endocrine organ and the metabolic impact.
• Cite these terms and describe their effect on metabolism and implications for treatment of overweight and obesity.
• Cite the hormones that regulate hunger and satiety and describe implications for weight management treatment.
• Describe the role of liver fat and the impact on comorbidities of obesity.
• Describe the impact of genetic imprinting and the intrauterine environment and the impact on the development of obesity.
• Discuss the microbiome and the possible effects and dietary treatment options.

Learning Objectives:

• Define BMI percentile, height for age, weight for age, and sexual maturity ratings and identify their indications for use in the anthropometric assessment of a toddler, child, and adolescent.
• Identify and utilize evidence-based or best practice recommendations for screening tools used to assess overweight and obesity in the pediatric population.
• Utilize the current recommendations to treat toddlers, children, and adolescents who are "at risk for overweight" and have "overweight and obesity."

Learning Objectives

• Describe the NCP as it relates to weight management assessment and treatment.
• Apply the most relevant weight management SOP/SOPPs.
• Review medical, physical and psychosocial parameters related to obesity that should be screened during assessment to identify health risks including pros/cons of assessment methods.
• Apply the nutrition-focused physical exam for weight management to a case study scenario.
• Describe methods of assessment of dietary intake.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the latest evidence-based guidelines for adult weight management treatment.
• Apply the key nutrition-related guidelines to a weight management treatment plan.
• Specify evidence-based tools for adult weight management, such as meal replacements and other portion control tools.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the key obesity-related physiological and metabolic pathways.
• Describe how adipose tissue functions as an endocrine organ and the metabolic impact.
• Cite these terms and describe their effect on metabolism and implications for treatment of overweight and obesity.
• Cite the hormones that regulate hunger and satiety and describe implications for weight management treatment.
• Describe the role of liver fat and the impact on comorbidities of obesity.
• Describe the impact of genetic imprinting and the intrauterine environment and the impact on the development of obesity.
• Discuss the microbiome and the possible effects and dietary treatment options.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe strategies for preventing excessive gestational weight gain.
• Describe strategies to support low birth weight or small for gestational age infant "catch-up" growth.
• Describe strategies for preventing childhood/puberty/adolescent obesity.
• Describe strategies for preventing adult weight gain.
• Describe strategies for preventing advanced-age sarcopenic obesity.
• Demonstrate how RDN should modify treatment approaches for patients/clients at different life stages.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the behavioral skills and techniques used in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) to help clients modify eating and activity habits.
• Describe characteristics of CBT for obesity management.
• Describe cognitive skills utilized in a CBT approach to weight management.
• Describe the four main components of motivational interviewing (MI).
• Explain the importance of accurate reflective statements.
• Understand the techniques for providing clients with objective feedback.
• Describe the dietitian and client outcomes attained from trained dietitians in basic MI interviewing skills.
• Describe the differences between individual and group weight management counseling.
• Define the key elements to successfully facilitating groups.
• Describe the methods to adapt MI counseling principles to a group setting.
• Describe psychological and behavioral screening tools.
• Describe cultural considerations that can affect weight management.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the elements of the clinical assessment for children and adolescents.
• Describe family issues involved in the treatment of children and adolescents.
• Recognize the key components of behavioral weight management for children and adolescents.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify appropriate and reliable physical activity assessment tools for pediatric patients and their families.
• Identify physiologic and metabolic factors that limit physical activity in pediatric patients who have overweight or obesity.
• Identify potential biochemical, anthropometric, behavioral and fitness outcomes related to increased physical activity in patients with overweight or obesity including use of evidence-based recommendations and/or protocols for physical activity in the treatment of the pediatric patient who has overweight obesity.
• Recognize when a referral to an appropriate health professional of physical activity is warranted.

Learning Objectives:

• Specify the RDN scope of practice regarding physical activity in weight management treatment.
• Cite the components of a physical activity assessment for adults.
• Assess current physical activity level in patients/clients.
• Apply physical activity assessment data to the calculation of total daily energy expenditure for adults.
• Evaluate when and to whom patients/clients need to be referred for physical activity counseling/intervention.
• Integrate providing physical activity guidance into the Nutrition Care Process.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the current criteria for anti-obesity pharmacotherapy use.
• Differentiate patients who are potential candidates for anti-obesity pharmacotherapy.
• Identify the FDA-approved anti-obesity pharmacotherapy options.
• Understand the role of anti-obesity pharmacotherapy in obesity treatment.
• Cite the common medical complications of obesity.
• Recognize the prevalence of common medical complications of obesity.
• Identify the signs and symptoms of common medical complications of obesity.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe when bariatric surgery may be indicated for patients with high-risk obesity.
• Describe the various types of bariatric surgery commonly performed in the U.S.
• Describe how each procedure differs in influencing the weight regulatory system; for example, how does the sleeve gastrectomy (SG) differ from the roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB)?
• Describe how each bariatric procedure influences vitamin and mineral status.
• Describe the metabolic and weight loss outcomes after bariatric surgery.

Learning Objectives:

• Define weight loss maintenance.
• Describe energy balance in the context of weight loss maintenance.
• Describe physiological and behavioral factors that affect energy balance and ultimately, weight loss maintenance.
• Apply findings from the empirical literature on weight loss maintenance in practice settings.
• Identify technologies and tools to facilitate weight loss maintenance.
• Identify who the RDN can work with in interdisciplinary settings to facilitate weight loss maintenance.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the role School Nutrition Programs can play to enhance efforts to reduce the incidence of pediatric obesity.
• Describe the role WIC has played to decrease the incidence of Pediatric Obesity.
• Describe the changes in meal patterns in schools that have gone into effect since the passage of the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010.
• Describe the RDN’s role in working with Wellness Policies in schools.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the key features of health care system transformation.
• Discuss health care initiatives such as the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and the Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative (CPC and CPC+).