The Hidden Crisis: When Pediatric Obesity Meets MASLD

Primary care pediatricians are at the forefront of preventing a growing public health challenge. The intersection of childhood obesity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) creates a perfect storm for youth-onset type 2 diabetes—and we have the tools to stop it.

Today, 1 in 5 U.S. children and adolescents live with obesity. But beneath these numbers lies an even more alarming reality: MASLD affects 30–50% of children with obesity, turning a weight issue into a complex metabolic disease with long-term consequences. (Stroes et al., 2024)

Diabetes at the Crossroads

An extensive Swedish registry study revealed the true scope of this crisis. Children with both obesity and MASLD had a 2.7-fold higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which climbed to nearly 4-fold during adolescence...continue reading...

The Severity Surge

The prevalence of extremely severe obesity (BMI

≥160% of the 95th percentile) has risen by 253%

since 2008, particularly among older teens. In this

group, MASLD prevalence reaches 84.6%, compared

to 44.5% in moderate obesity and only 2.8% in

children without obesity (Münte et al., 2025)...continue reading...

Sushma Chamarthi, MD, FAAP, DABOM

Chapter Member, AAP-CA1

Developing Concerns: Autism Subtypes, What Do We Know?

Although the term Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact was described by Leo Kanner in 1943, the term Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) was established 31 years ago in the Mental Health Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM 5) to capture the wide array of symptoms that may be manifest by any one individual. The symptoms may also vary in severity, and other diagnoses are often found in the same individual, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This has led to both an increasing number of children being diagnosed with ASD, and confusion about how these overlapping conditions should be diagnosed and treated.

Researchers have been trying to establish Autism Subtypes using biomarkers, both to clarify diagnostic criteria and to enable effective clinical trials of treatment methodologies. To date, about 30% of ASD diagnoses have been linked to specific gene disruptions....continue reading...

Renee Wachtel, MD, FAAP

Chair, Committee on Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics and School Health Committee, Area Director, Alameda County, AAP-CA1

President's Column:

Maya Angelou’s words in Still I Rise offer us wisdom and hope, words that we embody through advocacy in the AAP and our chapter. Here’s an update on what we’re doing to push for change when advocacy is needed more than ever before. And remember, you can get involved!

“Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I'll rise.”

Locally:

If you want to advocate with a letter endorsed by the AAP, contact your local Area Director or Yolanda Ruiz to start the process. Our chapter can sponsor letters for you to use with any organization or government body, such as your city council.

Call your representatives and senators to voice your opinion. Leaving a message with their office can be impactful, and it only takes one phone call!

Regionally:

AAP California, which includes our Chapter 1 along with three others, has a robust system for advocacy at the state level. Working through AAP California helps us present a united front. Reach out to our SGA representatives (Drs. Nora Pfaff and Annie Kaplan) to learn more or to start the process to advocate at the state level.

Request meetings with your representatives and senators, whether locally or in Sacramento. Relationships built now will pay dividends.

Next year, join us at Advocacy Day in Sacramento hosted by AAP California on May 4-5, 2027—an inspiring event that will energize and empower you as you advocate for child health.

National Advocacy:

Consider writing a resolution for the yearly AAP Leadership Conference every July. Resolutions introduce new ideas, address critical issues, and advocate for change at the Chapter, District, and National levels...continue reading..

Respectfully,

Neel Patel, MD, FAAP

President, AAP-CA1

Soluna: California’s Free Mental Health App for Youth

What if there was a virtual all-in-one mental health App for our patients in California ages 13 to 25 years old? What if it was 100% free (no ads, subscriptions, in-app purchase) and confidential? What if the barriers of language and waitlists did not exist for these services?

I would like you to meet Soluna, California's $4.7 billion investment designed to into improve

the mental health of our young people and provide equitable access to mental health support for all California teens and young adults. Soluna is a no-cost, evidence-based App that we can wholeheartedly recommend to our teens and young adults. Instead of watching TikTok videos, doomscrolling and reinforcing negative thoughts and feelings, Soluna users can spend their screen time in a way that supports their mental health.

The tag lines for Soluna are catchy and honest:

Prioritize your Peace.
Your space to de-stress, unwind, bounce back, reset, reconnect and seek support
Always free, Always anonymous
Mental health support that meets the moment

The menu of options is wide and includes:

Self-support: Interactive self-care tools, quizzes and mood logs
Peer support: Peer connection in community discussions
Professional support: Diverse, multilingual 1:1 tele-coaching via text, phone call or video. Patients can schedule a visit with a chosen coach or drop in for a chat from 10 am to 10pm PT. Coaches are available who can communicate in 17 languages.
Community resources: Care navigation to locate critical local resources (food, housing, therapy)...continue reading...

Lisa Leavitt, MD, FAAP

Mental Health Committee Co-chair, AAP-CA1

Pediatrician Podcasters

Pediatricians are turning to digital content to amplify credible voices in medicine during this time of misinformation. Podcasts are digital recordings that can be downloaded to a computer or mobile device. Pediatricians across our chapter have leaned into podcasting as a method to learn and share evidence-based information and expertise with patients, other providers, learners and community members. Below we highlight podcasts from various institutions within our chapter as well as national AAP. Give them a listen on itunes, spotify or at the links below and share!

For members interested in creating their own podcast, join us for an upcoming chapter chat on starting your own.

Healthy Children: A Podcast for Parents from the AAP - This digital accompaniment to our favorite go-to online resource for families was started in May 2024. Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez talks with top experts from many different fields in pediatrics about how to keep kids healthy and safe.

Pediatrics on Call: a Podcast on Children’s Health from the AAP - Each episode features interviews about new research and hot topics in the field of pediatrics. Hosts David Hill, MD, FAAP, and Joanna Parga-Belinkie, MD, FAAP (previously hosted Baby Doctor Mamas podcast) talk weekly with experts in children’s health.

California Pediatric's Podcast: A podcast by pediatricians from the four California Chapters of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Four chapters, one state, one voice. Current affairs, highlights on career paths, and tips for parents.

PedsRAP - One of the best CME eligible podcast out there! Produced by Hippo education for healthcare providers. Monthly updates by pediatric clinicians – including many guests from our chapter. Can earn up to 42 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ or AAP credit by listening in.

Mapping Healthcare - a podcast that explores ways in which people around the globe make the world of healthcare better and what we can learn from them. The host, Dr. Ulfat Shaikh is a QI researcher, professor in pediatrics at UC Davis and Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Council on Quality Improvement and Patient Safety.

Kids Considered - A podcast from UC Davis Children’s Hospital. Started in 2019, hosts Dr. Lena van der List (chapter 1 advocacy committee co-chair and Sacramento valley area director) and Dr. Dean Blumberg review topical information for families- from concerning recent tween skin care trends, to microplastics. We have even had collaborations with the Chapter Climate Health Committee...continue reading...

Lena Van Der List, DO, FAAP

Sacramento Valley Area Director, AAP-CA1

Chapter Events

Committee Meeting: Climate Change and Child Health Meeting

AAP-CA1 invites you to join the Committee Meeting: Climate Change and Child Health Meeting . In this meeting we will provide exciting updates on our committee’s 2025 projects underway. Thanks to the discussion in our last meeting in May, we are now planning a unique educational session to teach California legislators about climate change and child health. We’re excited to share opportunities for you, our committee members to get involved! Whether you made it to our prior meetings in February and May or this is your first time joining, all are welcome, and we would love to see you!

Date: Monday, September 15

Time: 12:00 p.m. – 01:00 p.m. PDT

Location: via Zoom

RSVP Here

Events Page

Committee Meeting: NEW! Childhood Nutrition and Obesity Prevention Committee

Join the Childhood Nutrition and Obesity Prevention Committee Meeting on Wednesday, September 24 from 6:00–7:00 PM! This session will also provide opportunities for members to collaborate, discuss barriers to obesity

care, and contribute to innovative

solutions.

Date: Wednesday, Sept. 24

Time: 06:00 p.m. – 07:00 p.m. PDT

Location: via Zoom

RSVP Here

Events Page

Podcasting 101 for Pediatricians

Podcasting is a powerful way for pediatricians to share expertise, connect with families, and extend education beyond the exam room. This chapter chat will introduce participants to the basics of podcasting — from choosing topics and engaging an audience, to selecting equipment and publishing episodes. Whether you’re looking to start your own podcast or engage as a guest, this chapter chat will provide the tools to amplify your pediatric voice.

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 15

Time: 12:00 p.m. – 01:00 p.m. PDT

Location: via Zoom

Events Page

Committee Meeting: Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics and the School Health Committee

AAP-CA1 invites you to join the joint committee meeting with the Committee on Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics and the School Health Committee, held virtually on Tuesday, October 28, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Don’t miss this important discussion on developmental, behavioral, and school health topics!

Date: Tuesday, October 28

Time: 07:00 p.m. – 08:30 p.m. PDT

Location: via Zoom

RSVP Here

Events Page

Cal-MAP Presents Primary Care Project ECHO Series & School-Based Project ECHO Series!

The California Child and Adolescent Mental Health Access Portal (Cal-MAP) offers live interprofessional tele-mentoring and consultation with school-based teachers, administrators & staff and school-based health center staff focuses on on topics including bullying, disruptive behaviors, anxiety, autism and suicidality and mental and behavioral health presentations common in school-based settings.

Upcoming Primary Care Project ECHO Series:

All events in this series are from 12:00 pm – 01:00 pm PDT

September 12 – Autism Spectrum Disorders Presenting in Early Childhood
October 10 – Diagnosing and Treating Anxiety in Children: The Foundations
November 14 –Diagnosing and Treating Depression in Children and Youth

Upcoming School-Based Project ECHO Series:

All events in this series are from 09:00 am – 10:00 am PDT

September 15 – Cal-MAP School Based ECHO: Supporting Worried, Anxious, and Avoidant Students
October 20 – Addressing Student Attention, Learning, and Rule-Following Concerns with School Behavior Plans
November 17 – Grief in School Communities
December 12 – Using SSRI's in Children and Youth
December 15 – Identifying and Promoting Success for Neurodiverse Students

Monthly Cal-MAP Webinar Series: Oct. 3, Nov. 7, Dec. 5 – Register Here!

CME, APA, ACE, and ASWB credits available

Some sessions may also qualify for MOC Part 2 and AAFP CME credits.

📌 Visit Cal-MAP to access program details and session recordings.

Visit Cal-MAP for More Information

Think Like a Shrink: Cal-MAP Pediatric Mental Health Bootcamp for Primary Care Providers

Learn the basics of childhood and adolescent mental health—including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and autism—as well as more advanced topics such as high-risk youth with disruptive behaviors, eating disorders, complex psychiatric co-morbidities, and managing treatment-resistant cases.

Date: Saturday, Sept. 13

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. PT

Location: UCSF Nancy Friend Pritzker Psychiatry Building, 675 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94107 (Auditorium Level 1)

41st Annual Advances in Pediatric Conferences

AAP Orange County invites you to join their annual CME/MOC-2 Conference featuring six great speakers, exhibitors, networking opportunities and more. This year’s program will focus on topics that include: Allergy, Child Psychiatry, Dermatology, Developmental Behavior, Endocrinology & Nutrition and Infectious Diseases.

Date: September 19-21

Location: Irvine Mariott Hotel

Conference Brochure

15 CME Credits

AAP-CA's 46th Annual Las Vegas Seminars

We personally invite you to attend this year’s Annual Las Vegas Seminars at the beautiful Caesars Palace Las Vegas! This meeting is the largest regional Pediatric Conference in the country, thanks to the continued support and participation of individuals like you.

Date: November 14-16

Location: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas

Up to 16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ available

Chapter Members receive a $75 discount!

KP Webinar Series on Firearm Violence Research

The Kaiser Permanente Center is launching a bimonthly webinar series designed to build the capacity, confidence, and visibility of those navigating the complexities of firearm violence research and prevention.

Each webinar will offer an opportunity to learn from a community of leading researchers and practitioners, receive expert guidance, and engage with peers in the field.

October 2025 | From Problem to Purpose: Choosing Research Questions That Drive Change in Firearm Violence Prevention
December 2025 | Navigating IRBs in Firearm Violence Research: What You Need to Know
February 2026 | Built on Trust: Community Partnerships for Firearm Violence Prevention Research
April 2026 | It’s Not Just What You Do – It’s How You Do It: Implementation Science for Firearm Violence Prevention
June 2026 | Not Just a Report: Disseminating Firearm Violence Research for Impact

28th Annual San Diego Pediatric School Health Conference

Join AAP-CA3 for two evenings of virtual learning on the latest issues in school health. This year’s conference will cover a wide range of pediatric topics including sleep disorders, adolescent health, autism and school services, diabetes, sports medicine, immunization updates, and more.

Date: October 8 & 15 via Zoom

Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Medical/BSN Nursing Students, Residents, Speakers, AAP Staff - Free

General Ticket (9/20-10/15) - $60

Early Bird (through 9/19) - $50

Pre-registration is required to attend! Your purchase includes both nights of the conference.

Pediatric Careers in California!

Explore our job board for exciting career opportunities or share one of your own. Visit aapca1.org/jobs/.

Chapter Members: Enjoy a discounted rate of $50 for a 90-day job posting and promotion.
Non-Members/Corporate Entities: Post for 30 days at $100.

Take the next step in your pediatric career today!

Pediatric Jobs Available!

Full-Time Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician - Yakima, WA

Division of General Pediatrics Adjunct, Clinical X, HS Clinical, and In Residence Faculty Series - San Francisco, CA

Pediatrician – Tamalpais Pediatrics - Marin County, CA

Job Board

Resources

Sierra Community Medical Foundation Events

The Sierra Community Medical Foundation (SCMF) will be hosting the 5th Annual Honorary Negro League Baseball Game on September 21. Read more to join!

Recommended by Sierra Community Medical Foundation

Learn More

AAP: FDA COVID Vaccine

Recommendations

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) new approvals for 2025-’26 COVID vaccines, which limit the opportunity for young children to be vaccinated, are “deeply troubling,” AAP President Susan J. Kressly, M.D., FAAP, said in a statement.

Recommended by AAP

Learn More

Back to School Resources

As we gear up for the new school year, we understand the importance of mental health for students, parents, and educators. That’s why we are adding to our comprehensive youth mental health resource library this back to school season...

Recommended by National Alliance on Mental Illness

Learn More

Cal-MAP: Mental Health Support Resources

Cal-MAP’s team of mental health specialists supports primary care providers (PCPs) treating youth with mental health needs through education, consultation, and resource navigation.

Phone:

800-253-2103

Email: info@cal-map.org

Request a Consultation