This chapter presents contrasting perspectives on the new childhood obesity guidelines set by the AAP, with one side advocating for evidence-based treatments and the other critiquing the guidelines as extreme and potentially harmful. Discussions revolve around the reliance on BMI, concerns about early weight loss interventions, and the impact of these guidelines on reinforcing weight stigma and societal biases.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released new guidelines to address childhood obesity, affecting over 14 million children, including recommendations for weight loss medications and surgery. Those who consider the guidelines good medicine say that it is a step forward in recognizing obesity as a condition requiring a range of medical interventions. Those who think the guidelines are too extreme worry these approaches could impact mental health and body image, contributing to weight stigma and shame. Now we debate: Childhood Obesity Guidelines: Good Medicine or Too Extreme?
Arguing "Good Medicine: Dr. Julia Nordgren, Pediatric Lipid Specialist at Palo Alto Medical Foundation; Attending Physician at the Stanford Weight Clinic
Arguing "Too Extreme": Dr. Janna Gewirtz O'Brien, Pediatrician and Assistant Professor at University of Minnesota Medical School
Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates
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