, according to new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics around childhood obesity.
"Weight is a sensitive topic for most of us, and children and teens are especially aware of the harsh and unfair stigma that comes with being affected by it," Dr. Sarah Hampl, a lead author of the guidelines and pediatrician and weight management specialist at Children's Mercy of Kansas City, said in a statement. "Our kids need the medical support, understanding and resources we can provide within a treatment plan that involves the whole family.
Pediatricians should screen children with obesity for those and other conditions at routine checkups, the AAP said in the new guidelines.Previous AAP guidelines, released in 2007, recommended a "watchful waiting" approach to childhood obesity. But evidence collected over the past decade showed that there's no benefit to delays, and that weight loss treatments are effective for children and adolescents.
All services for children and teens should also be carried out in a way that is mindful of patients' culture and language preference, the guidelines say. By working with families to identify personal beliefs, risk factors, and challenges, pediatricians can provide a personalized plan for treatment. While childhood obesity is common, the AAP said many children, teens and parents face weight-based stigma - even though many factors contributing to obesity, like genetics and, are outside of individual control. The new AAP guidelines call on pediatricians and other health care providers to avoid stigmatizing language when discussing weight with patients.
The left is going to mad about this .
Yes! Help them early. Often that mean helping the whole family adopt healthier habits.
Uh oh someone is looking to be canceled