Treat childhood obesity by reducing stigma, adding options, say new Canadian guidelines
Brenndon Goodman was faced with a harsh reality at just nine years old when a doctor told him that if he didn’t get his weight under control, he would not live past 30. This news was devastating for Goodman, who felt like a failure at such a young age. He recalls endless appointments at weight-loss programs that offered cookie-cutter diet plans and a lot of shame. It wasn’t until he was introduced to a team of doctors, dietitians, specialists, and psychologists at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children that he began to understand the psychological and genetic aspects of obesity.
Goodman’s story is just one of many that highlight the importance of taking a collaborative and inclusive approach when treating children struggling with obesity. The new Canadian clinical practice guidelines, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, emphasize the need for doctors to ensure that patients and their families are well-informed and included in decision-making processes. This approach recognizes that treating obesity goes beyond simply telling someone to “eat less, move more.”
Dr. Sanjeev Sockalingam, a professor at the University of Toronto and scientific director at Obesity Canada, stresses the importance of providing psychological treatments like counseling for behavioral change in addition to strategies aimed at improving nutrition and physical activity. The guidelines also suggest considering medications like GLP-1s and weight loss surgery in certain cases.
The updated guidelines, the first since 2007, address the need for a more holistic approach to treating childhood obesity. Dr. Jill Hamilton, head of the endocrinology division at the Hospital for Sick Children and a co-author of the guidelines, notes that much has changed in how doctors approach weight management in children over the past two decades.
One significant shift in the new guidelines is the focus on reducing the stigma associated with obesity. Childhood obesity is now defined as a chronic, stigmatized, and progressive disease that can impact a patient’s health and well-being. By recognizing obesity as a complex chronic disease, health-care providers can work towards developing more effective treatment strategies.
While the guidelines represent a step in the right direction, some experts believe they don’t go far enough in addressing weight stigma. Vincci Tsui, a registered dietitian and founder of Weight-Inclusive Dietitians in Canada, cautions against pathologizing body size and increasing stigma in the process. She emphasizes the importance of considering the potential side effects of medications like GLP-1s and bariatric surgery, especially in pediatric patients.
Ultimately, the goal of the guidelines is to empower families to make informed decisions about their child’s health. For individuals like Brenndon Goodman, weight-loss surgery has been life-changing. Goodman hopes that other young people and families will have the opportunity to make decisions that are best for their health and well-being. By taking a compassionate and inclusive approach to treating childhood obesity, health-care providers can help children like Goodman achieve long-term success and improved quality of life.
