EDCare Responds to the American Academy of Pediatrics

EDCare Responds to the American Academy of Pediatrics and their Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Obesity

EDCare stands firmly against the new guidelines for evaluating and treating obesity in children and adolescents released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The recommendation of weight loss medications for children as young as 12 and surgical interventions for adolescents as young as 13 is not only alarming but grossly negligent.

29 million Americans will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime and as experts in the diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders, we know body image issues and disorder eating behaviors often begin during adolescence.

We are disappointed with the research studies used to structure these new guidelines. Not only is much of the data limited – simply showing what types of treatments resulted in weight loss or a change in weight-related behaviors, but also isolates a single risk factor (weight) for the development of other long-term health problems such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Similar to the effects of chronic dieting, the use of weight loss medication categorically results in diminished hunger cues and rebound weight gain, often in excess of the initial loss. While there is currently little to no research available to show the consequences of weight loss medication and the likelihood of developing an eating disorder, it can certainly be a gateway behavior to the onset of a full-blown eating disorder, especially for those who are genetically predisposed. Furthermore, studies have shown an increased risk for the development of an eating disorder as a direct result of bariatric surgery.

The AAP failed to comment or understand the consequences of targeting weight and weight loss which could undoubtedly result in eating disorders, one of the deadliest mental illnesses, second only to opioid overdose. These guidelines and treatments only stand to further damage the relationship a child has with food and their body, perpetuating the harmful effects of weight stigma and fueling additional mental and physical issues.

EDCare supports the statements made by The Academy for Eating Disorders (AED) and the Collaborative of Eating Disorders Organizations (CEDO). We ask our community to join the conversation and help our future generations by petitioning the AAP for extensive revisions to these harmful guidelines.