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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As a distinct group, 2- to 5-year-olds with severe obesity (SO) have not been extensively described. As a part of the Expert Exchange Workgroup on Childhood Obesity, nationally-representative data were examined to better characterize children with SO. METHODS: Children ages 2 to 5 (N = 7028) from NHANES (1999–2014) were classified as having normal weight, overweight, obesity, or SO (BMI ≥120% of 95th percentile). Sociodemographics, birth characteristics, screen time, total energy, and Healthy Eating Index 2010 scores were evaluated. Multinomial logistic and linear regressions were conducted, with normal weight as the referent. RESULTS: The prevalence of SO was 2.1%. Children with SO had higher (unadjusted) odds of being a racial and/or ethnic minority (African American: odds ratio [OR]: 1.7; Hispanic: OR: 2.3). They were from households with lower educational attainment (OR: 2.4), that were single-parent headed (OR: 2.0), and that were in poverty (OR: 2.1). Having never been breastfed was associated with increased odds of obesity (OR: 1.5) and higher odds of SO (OR: 1.9). Odds of >4 hours of screen time were 1.5 and 2.0 for children with obesity and SO. Energy intake and Healthy Eating Index 2010 scores were not significantly different in children with SO. CONCLUSIONS: Children ages 2 to 5 with SO appear to be more likely to be of a racial and/or ethnic minority and have greater disparities in social determinants of health than their peers and are more than twice as likely to engage in double the recommended screen time limit.

Purpose: Emerging evidence suggests that infancy and early childhood may present a “window of opportunity” in which characteristics and lifestyle habits are still being formed and are therefore more malleable. Primary care offers a promising setting for obesity prevention and treatment given our established relationship with families and regular access to most children during well-child visits. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a primary care obesity prevention and treatment program in 2-5 year olds on parental feeding habits and child …

Purpose: to assess the impact of a primary care obesity prevention program in 0-2 year olds on dietary intake, active and sedentary behaviors, and parental feeding styles. Methods: Newborn infants presenting for well-child care were enrolled into either the control group or intervention group based on which of the 4 offices provided their care. Two offices were pre-determined control groups and two were intervention groups. The intervention included obesity-prevention specific physician training, newly developed handouts for ages newborn to 5 years, and 3 structured nutritionist …