Robert Davis, a health policy expert and author of "Supersized Lies," and Pamela Druckerman, an American journalist in France and author of "Bringing Up Bébé," dive into the alarming rise of childhood obesity. They discuss the recent approval of weight-loss drugs for kids and the mixed messages surrounding nutrition. The conversation contrasts American and French approaches to feeding children, highlighting the importance of whole foods. The episode advocates for open discussions about body image and nutrition, urging a cultural shift towards healthier eating habits.
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insights INSIGHT
BMI and Health Risks
BMI measures height-to-weight ratio, estimating body fat.
High BMI is linked to increased chronic illness risks.
insights INSIGHT
Global Obesity Rates
The US has high obesity rates, ranking 12th globally.
Countries like China and Japan have the lowest rates (3-4%).
question_answer ANECDOTE
Let's Move Campaign
Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign aimed to reduce childhood obesity by 5%.
The initiative, including celebrity and Sesame Street involvement, failed, with obesity rates rising.
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Supersized Lies: How Myths about Weight Loss Are Keeping Us Fat — and the Truth about What Really Works
Supersized Lies: How Myths about Weight Loss Are Keeping Us Fat — and the Truth about What Really Works
Robert Davis
Bringing up bébé
One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting
Pamela Druckerman
In 'Bringing Up Bébé', Pamela Druckerman, an American journalist living in Paris, investigates the French approach to parenting. She observes that French children often sleep through the night by two or three months old, eat well-rounded meals, and play independently while their parents relax. The book highlights key differences in parenting styles, such as French parents' ability to establish boundaries, prioritize their own needs, and maintain a calm authority over their children. Druckerman's research, conducted over three years, offers practical insights and cultural observations that have sparked a national debate on parenting.
In January 2023, the American Academy of Pediatrics surprised doctors and parents by changing its guidelines on treating childhood obesity to include the use of popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, also known as semaglutide, for children ages 12 years or older. And parents all over the country were faced with yet another difficult decision: Should I consider a lifelong weight-loss drug for my 12-year-old?
The fact that this is even on the table at all is a pretty shocking indictment of the state of our kids’ health. Nearly 20 percent of American children and adolescents are obese, a 300 percent increase since the 1970s. Meanwhile, a little over 42 percent of American adults are obese, a 180 percent increase since the 1970s. The United States ranks 12th worldwide in obesity prevalence. This places the U.S. among the countries with the highest obesity rates in the world.
The question is: Why? And why haven’t we been able to reduce childhood obesity rates?
As obesity rates have skyrocketed, we as a society have also changed the way we talk about weight and obesity. Yes, there is less stigma today about weight—which is good. But people—including health experts—have stopped speaking out loud about the real health risks of obesity. Take, for example, how during the pandemic our health leaders wouldn’t tell the public that obesity is a high risk factor for contracting Covid, out of a presumed fear of stigmatizing obese people.
In the end, all of this has led to confusion about the real health risks of obesity. Parents, in particular, are left to struggle with how to navigate food and health for their children. They may be left wondering whether the entire idea of a link between weight and health may simply be misinformation. So today, we’re setting the table: Why Is childhood obesity such a big problem in the U.S.? Why is obesity problematic in the first place? What will it take to change the way Americans feed our children? And what’s at stake if we don’t?
Raising Parents with Emily Oster 
