US childhood obesity guidelines may rush the use of drugs or surgery

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends intensive interventions to manage weight loss, including drugs and surgery – but it’s unclear whether they will reduce childhood obesity

By Grace Wade

In its first comprehensive guide to treating childhood obesity in more than 15 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends doctors offer adolescents more intensive interventions sooner, including weight loss medications and even surgery. But it is unclear whether the recommendations will adequately address paediatric obesity.

Childhood obesity rates in the US have nearly quadrupled since the 1960s and current estimates suggest more than 14 million children in the US have obesity. …