The Clinical Nurse Leader: Playing an Integral Role in the Prevention and Treatment of Pediatric Overweight and Obesity

Childhood obesity rates continue to rise across the United States. With the increased availability of snack foods and greater portion sizes, children have increased caloric intake, snack more often, and eat more high-fat foods. Decreased physical activity and increased sedentary behavior result in less active children. Children can suffer from comorbidities such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and sleep disorders (e.g., sleep apnea, insomnia). Obesity may be a result of unhealthy lifestyle choices. The clinical nurse leader (CNL) can play a key role in educating children and families. The CNL is a nurse with high-level critical thinking skills, leadership and case management abilities, who is well qualified to work on the complex issues that affect children with overweight or obesity and their families. CNLs can help to identify children and adolescents who are overweight or obese, coordinate their care, and assist their families to promote optimal health.