The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends behavioral interventions over obesity medications for children with high BMI to improve their health, citing inadequate evidence for the benefits of pharmacotherapy. The task force emphasizes the need for at least two years of follow-up to assess the long-term outcomes of drug therapy. The American Academy of Pediatrics previously recommended considering obesity drugs for children 12 and older. Experts agree that children with obesity require treatment, but there is disagreement on the use of medications. Both intensive behavioral interventions and drug therapies can coexist, with the need for further research to inform recommendations.
Source link
To treat obesity in kids, task force favors behavior therapy over drugs
