Last month the American Academy of Pediatrics released a new set of guidelines for "childhood obesity." We have some comments. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreBuy Aubrey's new bookListen to Mike's new podcastLinks!The 2023 American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines The 2007 guidelines Pros and cons of bariatric surgery in adolescents Serious Issues With the American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines For Higher-Weight Children and Adolescents Semaglutide treatment for obesity in teenagers: a plain language summary of the STEP TEENS research study Patients’ views of long-term results of bariatric surgery for super-obesity: sustained effects, but continuing struggles Long-Term Outcomes After Bariatric Surgery Suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescents who underwent bariatric surgery Support the show
Aubrey Gordon discusses the danger and harm caused by the wellness industry, particularly to people in larger bodies, and urges for more inclusivity and diversity in wellness spaces.
In this podcast episode, the speaker talks about the conflicting stories and opinions on fatness in the health and wellness media that seem to be transitioning between societal acceptance and remnants of huge stigma against fat people. The podcast highlights the differences between public opinion and what researchers are outlining as the issue with fatness.
The American Academy of Pediatrics released a policy paper on tackling childhood obesity that contains contradictions, like acknowledging the issue of fat shaming while calling for the elimination of fat kids to make them thin, without addressing the systemic inequalities that lead to disparities in health outcomes.
The belief that all health issues related to obesity are directly caused by the fat cells in one's body is a prevalent and harmful line of thinking, which can lead to the stigmatization of overweight individuals, aside from other complex health factors.
Referring to someone as a "person affected by obesity" instead of an "obese person" is an attempt to use the right language but doesn't necessarily prevent causing harm for fat individuals in healthcare settings. Focusing on a patient's BMI and weight in every interaction, even if it's unrelated to the visit, perpetuates weight stigma in medical spaces.
This episode covers the complexity of childhood obesity, including discussions on social determinants of health, racial disparities, policy factors, and adverse childhood experiences.
The podcast discusses the challenges that health care providers face when trying to help patients face larger problems such as poverty and bullying. While doctors may not be able to fix these issues, programs such as nutrition classes and physical activity components are often run by clinicians.
Programs, such as Bull City Fit, aim to tackle child obesity by offering community centers where families can attend special programming and receive support from health experts and nutritionists. The goal is not just weight loss, but to assess the health of children and support them more fully with participatory elements involving parents and children alike.
Studies have shown that while self-guided dieting often leads to disordered eating patterns in children, participation in structured weight management programs can decrease both current and future symptoms of eating disorders. This highlights the importance of proper intervention and guidance rather than leaving children to manage their weight on their own.
Weight-loss medications present an issue due to the lack of data available on their effectiveness and potential side effects. They only seem to work if coupled with a comprehensive approach, which is hard to come by in the US healthcare system.
The decision for an adolescent to undergo bariatric surgery is complex and should involve multidisciplinary teams including psychologists who provide cognitive behavioral therapy. The long-term outcomes show significant weight loss but also risks of vitamin deficiencies and surgical complications.
The speaker critiques a document about childhood obesity stating that it does not acknowledge the different biological aspects that contribute to obesity and that a one-size-fits-all approach will not work for treatments. She also shares her observations of how children are treated when they do not fit into the "ideal" body type.