A recent study (MA King et al. J Pediatr 2015; 167: 816-20) shows that physicians and physician trainees rarely addressed overweight/obesity in hospitalized children at a Utah pediatric hospital.

Using a chart review and an administrative database, the authors note that overweight/obesity was identified in 8.3% (n=25) and addressed in 4% (n=12) of 300 hospitalized children with overweight/obesity.  They conclude that “this represents a missed opportunity for both patient care and physician trainee education.”

My take: In many cases, addressing overweight/obesity at a stressful time like a hospitalization may be unwelcome. In children who are not very sick, offering nutritional counseling would be worthwhile.  For others, I think encouraging outpatient followup would be reasonable.

Also noted: “High Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Adolescents Undergoing Bariatric Surgery” SA Xanthakos et al. Gastroenterol 2015; 149: 623-34. In this cohort of 242 adolescents, 59% had NAFLD.  None had cirrhosis; stage 3 fibrosis was identified in 0.7%. Comment: I’m surprised that only 59% had NAFLD.