The Claim in Context
The American Academy of Pediatrics provides recommendations to support healthy living and help prevent obesity. When treating children and teens already experiencing obesity, pediatricians may offer intensive health behavior, nutrition counseling and lifestyle treatment. Medication and surgery are also safe, effective and evidence-based strategies that can be incorporated into a comprehensive treatment program for children with obesity, individualized to the needs of the patient and family.
Key Facts
- Obesity is a complex and multifaceted problem with no simple solution, and the longer it is left untreated, the more challenging it becomes.
- Prevention at the individual and family level begins with high quality nutrition, physical activity, and adequate sleep, along with a positive approach to screen use and social-emotional wellness.
- The causes of obesity are not limited to just individual or family factors, such as genetics, nutrition and physical activity. Other factors include affordability and accessibility to healthy foods; safe physical environments that allow for active play; and addressing sources of toxic stress, which can affect the hormones that regulate weight.
- Obesity is a chronic disease that can adversely affect the physical and mental health of children and adolescents and carry into adulthood.
- The foundational approach to any treatment plan is intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment in partnership with pediatricians and other pediatric health care providers.
- Healthy weight interventions are most effective when they involve the whole family and focus on behavior changes rather than weight alone.
- AAP’s recommendations to prevent and treat obesity are based on research that supports what strategies are most effective in pediatric populations. This includes AAP’s recommendation that pediatricians take a holistic approach starting with an understanding of the individual child, their family and their environment, and creating a customized plan for that family.
- Medication and surgery may be offered as part of a broader treatment plan, if the family and pediatrician agree on the approach. First, they take into account factors that include the patient’s age, obesity severity, and other medical conditions.
Evidence Snapshot
The current and long-term health of 14.4 million children and adolescents is affected by obesity, making it one of the most common pediatric chronic diseases in the United States. Research shows healthy eating, physical activity, adequate sleep and family meals specifically help achieve both goals. When treating a child or teen already diagnosed with obesity, evidence supports the effectiveness of intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment, including 26 or more hours of face-to-face, family-based counseling on nutrition and physical activity over at least a 3- to 12-month period. Evidence also points to the effectiveness of medication or surgery as a part of the overall treatment plan for some children and teens. AAP recommends pediatricians take a comprehensive, holistic approach based on these proven strategies.
Why It Matters
Nearly 1 in every 5 U.S. children ages 2 –19 have obesity, and the rates are higher for children who are Black or Hispanic according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These children are at much higher risk for developing serious medical conditions that traditionally were associated more closely with adults. Through evidence-based treatment options, we can not only address obesity but also prevent other chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and breathing problems such as asthma and sleep apnea. But actions by individuals are not enough. Policy and systems changes are needed to improve food quality and access, the availability of safe and developmentally appropriate physical activity and support of social emotional wellness. Children and youth, families, and pediatric professionals should not have to tackle this disease by themselves.
Experts Say:
“Addressing the rise in obesity rates requires both prevention and treatment, as well as policy-level changes to support healthy lifestyles. This includes nutrition, ample opportunities for safe and enjoyable physical activity, an environment that promotes quality and sufficient sleep, and positive supports to promote social and emotional wellness. At the same time, young people who have obesity should be offered intensive health and behavior lifestyle treatment.”
— Sandy Hassink, MD, FAAP, medical director of the AAP Institute for Healthy Childhood Weight Leadership and an author of the AAP clinical practice guidelines on obesity treatment.
Resources for Further Information
Treatment Resources
Last Updated
06/10/2025
Source
American Academy of Pediatrics