Children who carry excess body fat are at higher risk for health conditions, stigma and shame in diverse environments. Stealth interventions optimize health behaviors without attention to weight or size, which is particularly attractive for pediatric populations who are vulnerable to potential unintended consequences of weight-centric efforts.

In stealth interventions, programs are designed to emphasize process motivators – typically desirable behaviors that are expected to affect a health outcome without specifically emphasizing that outcome. Focusing on the process is expected to increase participant engagement and enjoyment, offering opportunities to reach new populations and sustain effects, the latter of which has been challenging for obesity prevention and treatment programs.

In this timely presentation, Anzman-Frasca reviews research efforts that exemplify this concept, including programs that promote 1) evidence-based positive parenting principles and 2) healthy pediatric sleep, demonstrating affects of these programs on children’s growth without the need to discuss diet or body weight with or around children.

On the individual level, Castle discusses practical parenting approaches, which, similarly have the potential to improve physical and psychological outcomes in children without focusing on weight or size, instead emphasizing optimal family functioning, responsive and diplomatic feeding and home environments that encourage optimal lifestyle behaviors.