Updated American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for the treatment of obesity advise the timely use of behavior therapy and changes in lifestyle and also state that surgery and drugs should be utilized for some children.
The guidelines, which were published in Pediatrics on Monday, represent the first complete update to the academy’s obesity treatment guidelines in 15 years. They provide therapy recommendations for youngsters as young as two and as old as fourteen.
What Is Obesity?
The therapy of young children should emphasize behavior and lifestyle modification for the entire family, including nutritional support and increased physical activity.
In addition to health behavior therapy and lifestyle management, the academy recommends the use of weight loss drugs for children aged 12 and older. According to the guidelines, adolescents 13 and older with significant obesity should be assessed for surgery.
Obesity is a persistent disease. It is typically characterized by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. This condition puts you at risk of having diseases such as:
- Heart disease and stroke
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Some cancers
- Osteoarthritis
- Gout
- Depression
- Obstructive sleep apnea
Not all obese individuals have these conditions. If you have a family history or other risk factors for one of these disorders, your risk increases.
The body mass index (BMI) is only one measure used to define obesity; the location of excess body fat is equally important. If your excess weight is concentrated around your stomach (the apple shape), it may be riskier than if it is concentrated around your hips and buttocks (the pear shape).
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Conditions Linked To Obesity
Heart Disease, Stroke
Obesity increases the likelihood of high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Both of these disorders increase the likelihood of heart disease or stroke.
With treatment, you can minimize your chances of developing heart disease or a stroke. Losing even a small amount of weight has been demonstrated to improve health and reduce the risk of obesity-related disorders.
Cancer
Obesity is associated with cancers of the colon, breast (after menopause), endometrial (uterine lining), kidney, and esophagus.
Some studies have also found associations between obesity and gallbladder, ovarian, and pancreatic malignancies. More than 684000 cases of cancer per year in the United States are attributed to fat. As body mass index (BMI) rises, so does the risk of cancer and cancer-related death.
Gallbladder Disease
Gallbladder illness and gallstones are more prevalent in those who are overweight. Ironically, weight loss, especially rapid or substantial weight loss, can increase the likelihood of developing gallstones.
Gout
A gout is an inflammatory form of arthritis caused by an excess of uric acid in the blood. The excess uric acid can create crystals that deposit and cause pain in the joints.
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