The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued its first guidance about childhood obesity in 15 years. After taking a "watch and wait" stance toward obesity in childhood, the organization now recommends swift and decisive action.
Dr. Ihuoma Eneli explains to the Associated Press, "Waiting doesn’t work. What we see is a continuation of weight gain and the likelihood that they’ll have (obesity) in adulthood."
The AAP is now recommending that children as young as 12 be put on medication to contend with obesity and that children as young as 13 undergo surgery. Additional interventions, such as diet and exercise, are also recommended.
Dr. Sandra Hassink adds that the hope is the new guidelines will make it clear that obesity is not "a personal problem, maybe a failure of the person’s diligence." She says, "This is not different than you have asthma and now we have an inhaler for you."
Nearly 20% of children in the United States are impacted by obesity, and an additional 42% of adults are as well.
There's more in the video below.
