### New Guidelines for Treating Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently released new guidelines for evaluating and treating children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. These guidelines emphasize a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to treatment, rather than simply prescribing weight loss drugs or surgery. #### Key Points of the Guidelines: 1. **Whole-Child Approach**: Obesity is recognized as a chronic, complex disease that requires a holistic approach. This includes considering the child's living situation, access to healthy food, and other individual circumstances. 2. **Multi-Pronged Treatment**: Instead of just putting a child on a diet, the guidelines recommend a combination of nutrition support, physical activity, behavioral therapy, medications for adolescents aged 12 and up, and surgery for teenagers with severe obesity. 3. **Early Intervention**: The guidelines stress the importance of treating overweight and obesity as soon as it is diagnosed, rather than waiting for the child to outgrow it. 4. **Addressing Stigma**: Pediatricians are advised to be mindful of their own biases and to treat children and their families with respect and sensitivity. 5. **Medication and Surgery**: These treatments are recommended only for children with severe obesity and are considered after thorough evaluation. Medications like Wegovy are available, and surgery is an option for those with a BMI over 35. 6. **Equity in Treatment**: The guidelines highlight the inequities in access to treatment based on economic status and race. They call for policy changes to improve access to comprehensive obesity prevention, evaluation, and treatment for all children. These guidelines aim to provide a structured approach to managing childhood obesity, helping to reduce the associated health risks and improve the quality of life for affected children and their families.