17 Jan 2023 • Published on 9th January, 2023 For the first time in 15 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released new guidelines on the 9th of January, 2023 for treating childhood obesity, emphasizing a need for early and intensive treatment. In contrast to previous recommendations, pediatricians and other pediatric healthcare providers are advised to provide "immediate, intensive obesity treatment to each patient" as soon as they receive a diagnosis. The new guidelines emphasize that obesity is a complex and chronic condition without a simple fix. AAP also recommends:

• Comprehensive obesity treatment
• Intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment (IHBLT)
• Evidence-based treatment delivered by trained health care professionals with active parent involvement
• For age 12 or more, physicians can offer pharmacotherapy according to indications, risk benefits
• Teens age 13 and older with severe obesity should be evaluated for metabolic and bariatric surgery

The guideline does not discuss obesity prevention, which will be addressed in another forthcoming AAP policy statement.

Source: AAP | Read full story