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Call for papers - Pediatric obesity and metabolic health

Guest Editors

Abdullah Al-Taiar, MD, PhD, Old Dominion University, United States
Anna Di Sessa, MD, PhD, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Italy

Submission Status: Open   |   Submission Deadline: 4 December 2024


BMC Pediatrics is calling for submissions to our Collection on Pediatric obesity and metabolic health.

Excessive weight gain in children can lead to a range of metabolic disturbances, including insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, increase the risk of poor health in later life and have immediate consequences on a child’s development and well-being.

This collection aims to explore various aspects of pediatric obesity, including its connections with metabolic health and innovative approaches for effective management and interventions. We welcome submissions from various disciplines, including  endocrinology, nutrition, health service research, epidemiology, and public health.

New Content ItemThis Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being.

Meet the Guest Editors

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Abdullah Al-Taiar, MD, PhD, Old Dominion University, United States

Dr Al-Taiar is a physician epidemiologist with an MD degree. He received his graduate training in Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (London University) in the UK. This includes a master level training in Biostatistics and PhD in Epidemiology. He is a fellow (by distinction) of the Faculty of Public Health, Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom, and a fellow of the American College of Epidemiology (FACE). He taught Epidemiology and Biostatistics for graduate and undergraduate students in several countries. He had several funded projects that have produced numerous publications and conference presentations. He is in the editorial board and associate editor of several peer-reviewed indexed journals. His research interests revolve around maternal and child health.

Anna Di Sessa, MD, PhD, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Italy

Dr Di Sessa is a pediatrician with a special interest both in endocrinology and nephrology. She is currently working at Pediatric Clinic of the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”. Starting from 2011, Dr Di Sessa was particularly engaged in the study of childhood obesity and its cardiometabolic consequences, and was involved in several multicenter clinical trials in this area of research. In the recent years, Dr Di Sessa's expertise in the challenging field of childhood obesity benefited from an international fellowship at Yale University. This experience not only expanded her knowledge but also refined the skills required to develop insightful research projects, which are constantly applied in her daily activities.

About the Collection

BMC Pediatrics is calling for submissions to our Collection on Pediatric obesity and metabolic health.

Excessive weight gain in children can lead to a range of metabolic disturbances, including insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. In addition to increasing the risk of poor health in later life, these metabolic disturbances can have immediate consequences on a child’s development and well-being. Therefore, BMC Pediatrics is launching this collection which aims to explore various aspects of pediatric obesity, including its connections with metabolic health and innovative approaches for effective management and interventions. We welcome submissions from various disciplines, including  endocrinology, nutrition, health service research, epidemiology, and public health. Potential topics of interest include (but are not limited to):

  • Longitudinal studies investigating the progression and outcomes of pediatric obesity
  • Identification and examination of genetic and environmental risk factors influencing the development of childhood obesity
  • Exploration of the complex interplay between pediatric obesity and co-morbid metabolic conditions
  • Evaluation of the efficacy and effectiveness of evidence-based treatment modalities including behavioral change, dietary counseling, physical activity programs, and school-based interventions
  • Culturally sensitive and inclusive strategies addressing pediatric obesity in diverse populations
  • The relationship between dietary patterns, nutrient intake, and childhood obesity, exploring how specific dietary interventions can positively impact metabolic health
  • The impact of prenatal and early-life factors, such as breastfeeding and introduction to solid foods

Childhood obesity is associated with an increased risk of premature death and negative health outcomes in adulthood, including a higher likelihood of developing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and osteoarthritis.  The World Health Organisation (WHO) have stated that childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century; a global issue with a rapid increase in prevalence - in 2016 it was estimated that over 41 million children under 5 were overweight.

Pediatric obesity and its association with metabolic health present significant challenges to the well-being and future of the global child population. Gaining insights into the multifaceted nature of pediatric obesity is essential for devising accurate diagnoses and implementing effective therapeutic strategies.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being.

Image credit: Chris Radburn / empics / picture alliance

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Pediatric obesity and metabolic health" from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.