World Obesity Live - Children, Obesity and COVID-19: Risks and recommendations for the most vulnerable populations

In response to the current COVID-19 Pandemic, the World Obesity Federation and colleagues launched a series of webinars on COVID-19 & Obesity. 

Evidence is emerging that suggests that obesity-related conditions seem to worsen the effects of the virus; individuals with heart disease and diabetes are at higher risk of COVID-19 complications and  patient management for people with obesity in intensive care units presents challenges for healthcare professionals (HCPs) on the front-line. These challenges will strain weak health systems that are already not well set up to manage patients with obesity (as reported by our MAPPS study published on Clinical Obesity),

Thus far, the webinar series has explored the growing evidence for the worsening of COVID-19 symptoms amongst people with obesity and the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for patients with obesity and physicians. We have heard from experts in Latin America, South East Asia, Europe and the USA. 

The last webinar of the series will address the implications of COVID-19 for children, and the impact of the pandemic

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Objectives

The objective of the webinar is to advance knowledge of the implications of COVID-19 for vulnerable populations, more specifically children.

Presentations will address:

• The existing public health approaches to address childhood obesity
• The challenges and solutions for childhood obesity through a low middle-income country (LMIC) and equity lens
• The impact of COVID-19 on childhood and adolescent obesity treatment

Speakers

• Ania Jastreboff - Yale University School of Medicine,USA (TOS)
• Grace O’Malley - Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Ireland (EASO)
• Paula Michele Lashley - University of the West Indies, Barbados
• Johanna Ralston - CEO, World Obesity Federation
• Jo Jewell -- UNICEF, USA
• Simon Barquera - National Institute of Public Health (INSPP), Mexico

Chair

• Louise Baur - University of Sydney, Australia

Agenda

13:00 - 13:03:

• Welcome and introductions (Louise Baur and Johanna Ralston)

13:03 – 13:15

• The impact of COVID-19 on children: To what extent are children with obesity affected by the current pandemic? (Grace O’Malley)

13:15 - 13:28

• Treating children and adolescents with obesity during the current pandemic (Ania Jastreboff)

13:40- 13:53

• Panel discussion Childhood and obesity through LMIC and equity lens.  (Simon Barquera, Jo Jewell, Paula Michele Lashley)

13:53-13:55

• Summary and key Points (Louise Baur)

13:55-14:00

• Final remarks and wrap up (Johanna Ralston)