Healthy + Happy #24: New AAP Recommendations Raise Concerns
Earlier this month, the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) released its first clinical practice guideline (CPG) on the evaluation and treatment of pediatric obesity. One of the CPG’s recommendations: “Adolescents with severe obesity should be offered referral for evaluation for metabolic and bariatric surgery.” Although pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery aren’t the AAP’s first recommendations for treating childhood obesity, their inclusion in the latest CPG has “generated many discussions on social media and a degree of controversy.”
A complex problem. In 1970, one in 20 children were obese. Today, that number has risen to more than one in five for the first time in U.S. history, and it’s impacting healthcare costs, national security and every aspect of kids’ health. Yes, factors like unhealthy diets, high stress, low sleep and lack of movement contribute to the rapid rise of this disease in our kids, but research shows the real culprit may be deeper — and more complicated.
“Obesogenic” environments. More than self-discipline or “moral failing,” research shows obesity is linked to our “food environments,” which shape health and quality of life, and America’s food environment has become “obesogenic” (promoting obesity, not preventing it). This environment breaks down into five social determinants of health, many of which, unfortunately, have contributed to wide health disparities and inequities.
No simple solutions. Complex, nuanced problems like obesity historically require multifaceted, well-researched solutions. Given that, it’s important to consider a number of complicating factors when it comes to “simple solutions” to obesity:
Our history with “simple solutions.” In the 1990s, the drug combination Fen-Phen rose in popularity as a “miracle medicine” for treating obesity. In the end, several people died due to cardiac-related side effects, and the FDA pulled it from the shelves.
Medications don’t come without side effects. For example, Wegovy, one of the recommended weight-loss drugs for kids, may cause thyroid tumors, even cancer. Other potential side effects to consider:
How might this drug affect adolescent development in a period of rapid growth and hormonal changes?
What is the potential of dependency on a drug that may require lifetime use and can cost up to $1000 per month?
Other concerns include weight stigma and the development of eating disorders.
Remember: it’s complicated. “Weight is just a number and only one measure of a child’s health,” said Dr. Callie Brown, assistant professor of pediatrics at Wake Forest. “Weight management may not be the best option for that child at that time.”
Before we make potentially life-changing decisions for our children, we need to consider all the complex factors and sides of the problem. At Life Time Foundation, we’re committed to ending childhood obesity by advocating for health-promoting policies and strategies. We collaborate with school district leaders to bring kids healthy, nutritious food and access to safe, enriching physical activity. We’re dedicated to helping all kids get started on their healthy way of life journeys. To learn more, visit our website.
In the News
School food round-up.
The School Nutrition Association is now joining the cause for universal school meals — and so are Virginia, Washington, Nebraska, South Carolina and Minnesota, as they join the other states who’ve introduced bills to give kids access to free school meals.
Dallas ISD is bringing back scratch cooking and innovation to their cafeterias. Check out their new, future-focused approaches.
What do teens actually think of their school meals? Well, non-profit No Kid Hungry asked them — and the survey results might surprise you.
Events, Happenings and Opportunities
The Chef Ann Foundation’s Healthy School Food Pathway is a professional development program designed to help school foodservice professionals learn the skills they need to make more meals from scratch. If you’re interested, you can apply now for the Spring 2023 Pre-Apprenticeship Program (priority deadline: December 15; regular application deadline: February 3, 2023).
On May 17-18, the Aspen Institute is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Project Play at the Project Play Summit 2023. Registration now open.
Have other national events or grant opportunities you'd like us to highlight? Let us know.