Children with obesity should be offered more intensive treatment options earlier, including therapy and medication, says the leading U.S. pediatricians group.
The American Academy of Pediatrics’ new guidance on childhood obesity — the first in 15 years — moves away from “watchful waiting,” or delaying treatment to see if children outgrow obesity.
The group is now advising pediatricians to “offer treatment options early and at the highest available intensity” for one of the most common chronic diseases among children. Untreated, obesity is associated with a range of long-term health problems including heart disease and diabetes.