The Daily

An Aggressive New Approach to Childhood Obesity

Jan 26, 2023

Gina Kolata, a medical reporter for The New York Times, discusses the American Academy of Pediatrics' new bold guidelines on childhood obesity. She delves into how obesity is now recognized as a complex chronic condition influenced by genetics and the environment. The conversation covers the necessity for pediatricians to take action, the introduction of medications for treatment, and the controversial topic of bariatric surgery for severe cases. Kolata emphasizes the need to destigmatize obesity and the importance of supportive care for affected children.

22:36

Creator website

Episode guests

Gina Kolata

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

The Genetics of Obesity

00:49

New Guidelines for Treating Obesity in Children

01:39

The Virtues and Objections of Interventions to Address Obesity

01:25

Intro

2min

Understanding Childhood Obesity

8min

Evolving Perspectives on Childhood Obesity Treatment

4min

Medical Interventions for Childhood Obesity: Prescription Drugs and Safety

2min

Bariatric Surgery and Childhood Obesity

7min

Pope's Progressive Stance and Political Conflict in Congress

2min

Recent advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended a bold approach to treating the millions of children in the United States who are affected by obesity. Counseling, drug treatment and even surgery should be considered, the group says.

The guidelines are a response to a deeper understanding of what obesity is — and what to do about it.

Guest: Gina Kolata, a medical reporter for The New York Times.

Background reading:

The new guidelines have underscored how complicated childhood obesity is for patients and health providers.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

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