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The American Academy of Pediatrics has an updated set of guidelines urging pediatricians to take a more proactive and stringent approach on young patients struggling with obesity. We highlight some of these updated policies and the lasting effects of early childhood obesity.
A greater number of young people in America are becoming obese, according to recent data from the centers for disease control and prevention. Currently, one in five children and teens fall into the obese category. This means that their body mass index, or BMI, is at or above the ninety-fifth percentile of the recommended CDC growth chart. Experts are worried because this early onset of obesity is not just a short-term problem. This population is more likely to struggle with weight across their lives and are at a higher risk of developing type two diabetes, heart disease, depression and other disorders in adulthood.
In light of this growing epidemic, the American Academic Of Pediatrics has come out with an updated set of guidelines. One new focus is to have pediatricians push a more urgent lifestyle approach for any obese child that’s two or older. This includes a tailored diet and exercise plan that consists of weekly, hour-long checkups to track progress. One nationwide issue that experts are seeing is that the majority of children are consuming too much added sugar and not enough produce. The CDC recommends that children under two should not be given any added sugar. For kids ages one to five, they should be eating between a half cup to two cups of vegetables and fruits every day.
The AAP is also advising that obese adolescents over the age of twelve take on more intensive lifestyle interventions and, in some cases, start on weight loss medication. For cases of severe adolescent obesity, pediatricians can also consider metabolic or bariatric surgery like a gastric bypass or band. While these guidelines may be controversial, experts argue that this push is necessary as obesity rates in young Americans have steadily climbed over the last forty years.
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