Have you heard anything new American Academy of Pediatrics‘ (AAP) Recommendations for the treatment of ‘childhood obesity’? Before we get into specific guidelines, what they mean, and concerns from medical professionals, I want you to think back to your own childhood.
If you grew up big, focus on how your doctors, family, parents, and co-workers treated you, and focus on your size.
Have you ever insisted that your doctor check your blood sugar at every appointment just because of your weight when there are no other signs that you may have diabetes? Have you committed to a weight loss focused program like L.A. or LA Weightloss?
Have you ever been treated differently by a colleague because you didn’t wear the same clothes as them? falcon?
Obesity as a disease
A little research into how “obesity” came to be classified as a disease might surprise you. About ten years ago, the American Medical Association (AMA) asked the Commission on Science and Public Health To decide whether to classify obesity as a disease or simply continue to view it as a risk factor for chronic disease.
The panel produced a five-page opinion suggesting that obesity should not be classified as a disease for several reasons. The reason for this is that given the human history of adapting to store calories during times of starvation, obesity does not fit the definition of a medical condition, suggesting that larger bodies are more efficient. They feared that the medicalization of obesity could harm patients. It creates more stigma and ultimately results in useless ‘treatments’.
At the AMA annual meeting in the summer of 2013, resolution 420: “Our American Medical Association recognizes obesity as a disease state with multiple pathophysiological dimensions that require different interventions to advance the treatment and prevention of obesity.” It passed by an overwhelming majority in complete disregard for its own committee’s recommendations.
Now that you’re in the right frame of mind to discuss these new AAP guidelines, let’s get down to business… and brace yourself.
What does the new guideline say?
One of its main recommendations is new guidelines Treatment for “childhood obesity” includes intensive behavioral and lifestyle therapy. This includes nutritional counseling, physical activity, and “behavior change”. Ideally, this would require 26 hours of face-to-face treatment over several months. The problem with this recommendation is that it will take some time before treatments become available. That brings us to the more concerning part of these guidelines, as they are more readily available.
The AAP now recommends weight loss medications for children over the age of 12 who are diagnosed as “obesity.” Bariatric surgery is recommended for “severely obese” children over the age of 13. This includes people in the 99th percentile for weight for age and gender.
Why are these new guidelines a problem?
If there’s one thing we already know about these trending weight loss drugs that are now being prescribed to children, it’s that most people lose weight when people stop taking these drugs. means it will revert. This means that once a child takes these medications, they will need to take them for the rest of their lives.
People undergoing bariatric surgery are at risk of: Postoperative eating disorder, this can be very dangerous because of how the body needs nutrition after surgery.They are also at risk of alcohol problem due to old age after surgery.
Medication and surgery are some of the most discussed guidelines by medical professionals online. Because behavioral and lifestyle therapies are not readily available at this time, these are likely to be the options of choice by health professionals.
we asked @paulina.the.therapist (MHC-LP) on TikTok for her take on these guidelines as a mental health counselor. she says, “Fat people are not a problem to solve. The negative effects of weight bias are well documented, but fat people are treated as subhuman on both a systemic and interpersonal level.
“The AAP neither mentions nor warns pediatricians about eating disorders or eating disorders. Instead, they recommend behaviors that are known and documented risk factors for eating disorders, but are No mention is made of how stigma against or debates about weight can increase the risk of developing eating disorders.Our children are the most vulnerable and sensitive people. It’s been shown repeatedly that focusing on your weight doesn’t yield good health outcomes, quite the opposite, as anti-fat biases permeate the entire medical-industrial complex. And yet such dangerous recommendations are being made, and it has never been about health.”
@nursing theory profile (PhD RN) said of TikTok: “As a self-management researcher, I also believe that these guidelines may lead to weight bias, including that the approach recommended here may make children feel stigmatized by their health care providers. It is also plagued by not addressing it meaningfully, which can be demotivating for a child’s lifetime, especially if most of the visits focus on weight. Feeling that they are losing weight appropriately in their eyes, and that their home life is always focused on weight, can lead to depression and resistance to health behaviors as they grow through puberty. higher.”
“What I think is most important in these guidelines is their lip service to the social determinants of health. assumed that the same choices were available for safe spaces for children, ability to participate in extracurricular activities, etc. In fact, it was the families with the lowest ability to make the healthy choices required of them. and those who are least likely to have access to surgery.”
What is being done to counter these recommendations?
Nutrition and dietetics, including weight (WIND) brings together a team of medical experts and advocates in the comprehensive weight field. Among them is Patrily Hernandez. embody ribDawn Lundin of Restore Dietetics, Ragen Chastain and others have responded to these new guidelines.
WIND focuses on how these guidelines will affect the most marginalized communities, the future impact and implications for families, and how this will affect the policies of health care providers and insurance plans. It is to consider whether it is possible to shape
wind conditions, “Clinical practice guidelines can have a negative impact on children and further perpetuate weight stigma. This workgroup will analyze the guidelines and advocate an evidence-based, weight-inclusive approach to children’s health. In the weeks and months following the publication of the guidelines, this group meets regularly to:
- In-depth review of over 800 cited references, including analysis of a small number of studies to identify design flaws and erroneous conclusions
- A resource for articles, podcasts, and media reactions to previous clinical practice guidelines.
- A signature letter outlining the potentially harmful consequences for children if the guidelines were implemented in their current form. The letter also provides a call to action for those seeking to engage in advocacy on this issue. “
All of this will be open to the public at the event Webinar hosted by WIND Midsummer of 2023.
If you have any concerns about these new guidelines for your child, we encourage you to consult your pediatrician. no Talk about your child’s weight.
You can always tell your child’s doctor not to comment on your child’s body or discuss BMI in front of your child. If your healthcare provider disagrees, it may be worth looking for a new doctor.