Childhood Obesity Treatment Options

In the United States, childhood obesity rates are rising. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia show that "the number of children and adolescents with obesity has more than tripled since the 1970s."

There are a number of variables that must be considered while attempting to treat pediatric obesity.

Medical issues (such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or other obesity-related illnesses) that emerge simultaneously with the child's age

• Possible methods of treating childhood obesity are:
• Alterations to the kid's feeding routine
• An uptick in the kid's level of physical activity
• Surgery or medication for weight loss (under certain conditions).
• Behavioural therapy

What Is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

The body mass index (BMI) is widely used to diagnose and monitor obesity in children, adolescents, and adults. Using the child's height and weight ratio, the BMI calculates the child's fat content. A child's BMI is used by their physician (or other healthcare professional) to determine where they stand on the growth chart.

The body mass index has been around for a while, but it's an old and inaccurate method. It ignores individual differences in anatomy, culture, sexuality, and age. 

The medical community continues to use BMI despite its bias because it is a rapid and cheap approach to assess a patient's health and prospective outcomes.

Parent-Only (PO) Treatment

The best results in treating pediatric obesity have been connected to interventions that incorporate all of these aspects.

Researchers looked at outcomes with and without children in therapy to determine if they were as important to the treatment process.

In terms of the key therapy modalities (nutrition, education, and behavioral re-enforcing techniques), the results demonstrated that parent-only (PO) treatment programs were equal to those that involved both the parent and the kid. 

The research team stated, "Overall, this project suggests that a PO [parent-only] treatment could provide similar results to PC [parent and child treatment] in child weight loss and other relevant outcomes, and potentially could be more cost-effective and easier to disseminate."

Multi-Disciplinary Treatment

Using a multi-pronged strategy, researchers in 2015 found a significant reduction in body mass index (BMI) among children who had undergone extensive treatment for obesity.

• Advice on what to eat
• Instruction in Physical Activity
• Behavior modification and exercise instruction in a group setting
• Psychological consultations and treatments

Group physical activity sessions conducted by a physiotherapist (a specialist in physical activity) Weekly in-home coaching to help locate play places for children and assist in removing low-nutrient items from the home environment

Weight Loss Surgery

Adolescents, but not younger kids, can get surgery to help them lose weight. The risks associated with weight reduction surgery are similar to those associated with other surgical procedures. Surgery may be less dangerous than obesity in the long run for teenagers who are unable to lose weight and reduce their body mass index through dietary and lifestyle adjustments.

The teenager will discuss the possibility of surgical weight loss with their doctor. A pediatric endocrinologist (who specializes in disorders like diabetes) or dietitian may be contacted as well.

Adolescents who have tried everything else without success may find some initial success with weight loss surgery, but this is only a starting point. In the long run, you'll need to commit to a healthy eating plan and an exercise routine.

General Tips for Parents

A healthcare physician who has determined that a child or adolescent is overweight will likely provide a diet and set of goals for greater activity and healthy weight loss.

Most experts agree on the following set of guidelines:It is the parents' responsibility to decide what and when their children eat, not the kids'.

Eat lots of fresh produce, lean protein, healthy fats (like avocados and olive oil), and whole grains to maintain good health.

Remove from the diet: foods high in saturated and trans fats, sugary baked goods, high caloric/high sugar drinks (fruit juice included), processed foods, and fried foods.

Fresh fruits, nuts, and high-fiber whole foods (like popcorn) are examples of nutritious snack options.

When feasible, parents should eat at home and steer clear of eateries, especially fast food joints.

Family meals should be relaxed occasions where parents and kids can talk freely to one another.

Children shouldn't be allowed to snack in front of the TV or other electronic devices (including cellphones and tablets). The Mayo Clinic warns against eating in front of screens, as it might lead to rapid eating and overeating.