UF College Of Medicine Offers Pediatric Obesity Fellowship To Tackle National Epidemic

Study in US: The Pediatric Obesity Fellowship at the University of Florida College Of Medicine is designed to offer theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the assessment, prevention and treatment of pediatric obesity.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around one in 5 US adolescents and children have obesity. There is a growing need for its prevention and treatment. Pediatric Obesity Fellowship Training Program is only the second such fellowship in the southeastern United States.

Angelina V. Bernier, M.D. ’02, medical director of UF’s metabolic and obesity clinic, pediatric medical adviser to the UF Health Bariatric Surgery Center, and fellowship program director commented, “There’s a significant need for physicians trained in pediatric obesity medicine. Pediatric Obesity is an epidemic in this country. It’s been an issue for a while, and it’s only getting worse. This issue isn’t easily managed by primary care providers or generalists. We need people who are really knowledgeable in approaches for the evaluation of underlying conditions and who can advise patients on the right treatment approaches, like lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, and even bariatric surgery when appropriate.”

Pediatric Obesity Fellowship: More Details

She said that there is a huge backlog of patients from across the state but there are not enough health providers available in this area. To tackle this problem, the fellowship will offer in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in the assessment, prevention and treatment of pediatric obesity to the fellows. The fellowship offers many unique features focused on both surgical and medical interventions.

Pediatric Obesity Fellow's Experiences

Shivani Berry, M.D., MBBS joined this fellowship in 2024. She said, “The biggest part of medicine for me is being able to make a change and focus on prevention. The age group that I found to do that is paediatrics. How can you build better habits for later in life? Teach them now. I want to help patients make a difference at a younger age so eventually, they don’t actually need me.”

“UF is a great place for me because I’ve always wanted to be in an academic institution. I love teaching, and I love helping others achieve their goals. Being in a place where I’m able to start something that can continue on for others feels very special," she added.

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