New Guidelines for Treating Childhood Obesity Include Medications and Surgery

For the first time in 15 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics recently released new guidelines for treating childhood obesity, emphasizing a need for early and intensive treatment. The guidance comes as childhood obesity rates have continued to rise over the past decade and a half, increasing from 17% to 20%, according to data from the CDC. The new guidelines emphasize that obesity is a complex and chronic condition without a simple fix. Intensive behavioral and lifestyle changes should be the first-line approach, but the AAP also includes recommendations for anti-obesity medications and surgery for the first time. Learn more from NBC news here.