The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued new guidelines encouraging pediatricians to offer treatments earlier and at a higher intensity to children struggling with obesity.
Pediatricians should be offering treatment to children ages 6 and above, but can begin treatment for those even as young as age 2, based on the academy's new guidance.
Dr. David Milligan, a pediatrician at Carle BroMenn Outpatient Center in Bloomington, said he has seen an increase of childhood obesity in his patients recently, especially after the effects of the pandemic.
“Research has shown that obesity did increase during the COVID pandemic for many reasons,” Milligan said. “You have gyms closing down, access to good food is limited, and stress and mental health involved with that as well.”
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