The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that obese children receive weight loss surgery and take weight-loss drugs.
Monday’s release by the American Academy of Pediatrics of its new guideline on treating childhood obesity was the first in over 15 years. Instead of focusing on prevention, the AAP emphasized pharmaceutical treatments and metabolic or bariatric surgeries.
The AAP recommendation stated that these recommendations included motivational interviewing and intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatments, pharmacotherapy and metabolic and bariatric surgeries. The approach takes into account the child’s health, family, community context, as well as resources.
This guideline recommends that pediatricians offer weight loss tablets to obese children 12 years old and older.
NBC News reported that “four drugs have been approved to treat obesity in adolescents beginning at 12 years old — Orlistat and Saxenda, Qsymia, Qsymia, and Wegovy — and one drug, phentermine for teenagers 16 and older.” Setmelanotide (brandname Imcivree) has been approved for children 6 years and older with Barde-Biedl Syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes obesity.
Dave Rubin’s content is free from big tech censorship. The Rubin Report is now available.
The guidance suggests that children 13 years old and older with severe obesity should be considered for metabolic and bariatric surgery.
The AAP recommends that children six years old and older with obesity should first receive face-to-face counseling for a period of approximately one year.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, obesity has been stigmatized over many years and can lead to serious short- and long-term health problems if left untreated. This includes cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
According to the AAP, obesity is a disease that can be successfully treated if you recognize that there are complex genetic, socioeconomic and environmental factors at play.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “The role of structural racism in obesity prevalence”
The AAP stated that increased obesity rates are linked to inequalities in poverty, unemployment, homeownership, and structural racism.
The guideline stated that families may struggle with poverty, accessing healthy foods, social support, racism, or immigration status.
The guideline stated that “Racism in daily life has also been associated increased obesity prevalence.” “People who are overweight or obese have been shown to be more at risk for harassment and sexual harassment due to their weight, as well as harassment based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender.
In the American Academy of Pediatrics guidance, the word “exercise” is 12 times found. The word “racism”, however, appears 11 times.
Sandra Hassink is the author of the guideline. She also serves as vice-chair of the AAP Clinical Practice Guideline Subcommittee on Obesity.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity affects approximately 14.7 million American kids and teens. Over 20% of American children six to eleven years old are obese. 22% of American children 12 to 19 are overweight.
