Obesity Canada has published an updated clinical practice guideline to treat pediatric obesity. This is a very big deal and indicates a profound change on how we will address this chronic condition for children and adolescents. After almost two decades of research, these guidelines were finally published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Second, they point to our changing knowledge about obesity. It is a complex disease rather than something based purely on personal decision-making.
Recent figures reported by Obesity Canada underscore just how pressing this issue is. About 26% of children 11 years and younger are considered overweight or obese. The scenario looks even bleaker for teens. It is alarming that about one-third of people ages 12-17 are in this frighteningly adverse category. These numbers highlight the importance of smart strategies to intervene.
The revised recommendations underline the need for healthcare professionals to focus on deeper evaluations that target dietary habits, physical activity levels, and mental health. Engage patients and their loved ones in goal-oriented dialogue. This facilitates the development of treatment plans that best promote providers’ effectiveness and supportive, healing roles.
Obesity is a complex and multi-faceted issue that requires an individualized response. We are grateful for the expertise and thoughtfulness that Obesity Canada invested in these new recommendations,” said an Obesity Canada representative.
We know lifestyle changes are important to combat obesity. Unlike many other guidelines, these guidelines discuss the critical role of medication in helping improve treatment and save lives. Health providers are advised to discuss the potential benefits and risks of pharmacotherapy with patients and their families before making decisions. Newly developed GLP-1 agonist drugs—like Ozempic and Wegovy—have revolutionized the field of obesity treatment. Wegovy was prescribed primarily as a weight loss drug for youth ages 12 and older. By contrast, Ozempic and Mounjaro are only approved for managing diabetes in adults.
Yet medication is considered only one component of treatment. If other interventions have failed, bariatric surgery should be a covered option. It’s essential for healthcare providers to lead comprehensive discussions with families around the associated benefits and risks.
The guidelines suggest that patients should have access to a multidisciplinary team of specialists. This hub team should include psychologists, nutritionists, kinesiologists, and social workers with trauma-informed training. To tackle obesity in a more holistic way requires interdisciplinary teamwork among many different types of health professionals.
Dr. Sockalingam, a leading world expert in the field, shone a light on the struggles that continue to exist within health professions. Some primary-care providers are reluctant to accept obesity as a chronic disease requiring multimodal treatment.
Not only this, we cannot forget the emotional toll that obesity is taking on our kids. Thousands of families experience dehumanizing and potentially dangerous interactions with health care providers that contribute to shame and blaming. Obesity Canada recognizes the important role of creating supportive environments within clinical conversations.
“As Obesity Canada pointed out, “Some children living with obesity and families have a lived experience that includes harmful stigmatizing interactions with health-care providers. During these clinical conversations, it is essential to engage people using positive, reinforcing language.
Dr. Henderson put an emphasis on establishing empowerment with children at-risk for obesity. “Building the confidence in kids to make those changes, to not get discouraged,” she said.
