Below is a news brief on a policy statement appearing in the December issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

For Release: December 5, 2005, 12:01 am (ET)

CHICAGO - Children and adolescents are often involved in sports in which weight loss or weight gain is encouraged. A revised policy from the American Academy of Pediatrics, "Promotion of Healthy Weight-Control Practices in Young Athletes," describes unhealthy weight-control practices that may be harmful to the health and/or performance of athletes. Healthy methods of weight loss and weight gain are discussed, and pediatricians are given resources and recommendations that can be used to counsel athletes, parents, coaches and school administrators in discouraging inappropriate weight-control behaviors. The policy provides specifics on issues such as recognizing binge-purge behavior, prevention and treatment of dehydration, weight and body composition measurement, and physical exams for young athletes. The statement tells pediatricians they should advise strongly against weight loss through means such as overexercising; using rubber suits, steam baths or saunas; prolonged fasting; fluid reduction, vomiting, diet pills or other legal or illegal drugs.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.