What You Need to know about Kids and High Body Weight
Feb 20, 2024
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Dr. Jack Yanovski, a pediatric endocrinologist, discusses childhood obesity and disordered eating in teens. He advises on determining who is most concerned about weight, causes and consequences of high body weight in kids, and treatment options. Topics include talking to kids about food and weight, lifestyle interventions, obesity classification as a disease, and risks associated with high body weight in adolescents.
Parents should focus on healthy habits and body acceptance when discussing weight with children.
Consult healthcare providers for appropriate weight management options, ranging from lifestyle changes to medication or surgery for extreme cases.
Deep dives
The Impact of Diet Culture on Children and Teens
Content creator Tyler Bender pokes fun at diet culture and almond moms through skits on TikTok. The term 'almond mom' refers to parents overly obsessed with dieting and thinness. Tyler's videos shed light on the pressure to be thin, restrictive eating habits, and the impact of a parent's relationship with food and diet on children. Discussing weight and nutrition with kids can be challenging, as it poses a fine line between promoting healthy habits and body acceptance.
Addressing Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity rates have been increasing, with approximately 20% of children having obesity. Dr. Jack Yannowski, a pediatric endocrinologist, suggests that lifestyle and behavioral management programs can be successful for kids aged 6 to 12. These programs involve diet, exercise, and behavioral modifications. However, adolescents face unique challenges due to individuation and motivation issues. Medication and even bariatric surgery may be considered for extreme cases. It's important for parents to work with healthcare providers to determine the most appropriate approach based on their child's health and needs.
Understanding Body Weight and Health
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a commonly used measurement for weight classification, but it has limitations. The growth charts, comparing a child's weight to others of the same age, provide a better guide. Dr. Yannowski emphasizes the need to avoid stigmatization and focus on a range of healthy weights rather than an ideal number. He also highlights the risks associated with body weight, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea, even in childhood.
Managing Weight and Considerations for Medication
Parents should consult their healthcare provider and consider high-quality weight management programs if concerned about their child's weight. Interventions can range from lifestyle changes to medication or surgery in extreme cases. Medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and others have gained approval for adolescents with obesity, but their long-term effects and appropriate usage are still being studied. Close monitoring and individualized approaches are necessary, as there is no one-size-fits-all solution in managing weight in children and teens.
Children and adolescents are expected to gain weight as they age, but how much is too much? Childhood obesity rates are on the rise, along with disordered eating among teens. So how can kids and their parents address this head on? Dr. Jack Yanovski, a pediatric endocrinologist at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development recommends first determining who is most concerned about the weight. From there, he tells Sanjay about the causes and consequences of high body weight in kids, as well as treatment options – which include weight loss medications for children as young as 12. Dr. Yanovski also offers guidance on how to talk to kids about food and weight.