WHO Issues First Global Guidelines for Childhood Obesity Management, Emphasizing Mental Health and Digital Tools
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its inaugural global guidelines for managing obesity in children and adolescents. These guidelines include conditional recommendations for obesity medications and, in severe cases, surgery for individuals over 10 years old. The WHO highlights a significant increase in childhood obesity, with rates quadrupling since 1990, affecting over 170 million children and adolescents globally. The recommendations stress a 'person-centered' approach, combining nutrition, physical activity, and behavioral management. For children under 10, the focus remains on structured interventions like healthy eating and physical activity, with medication and surgery considered only if these approaches fail for adolescents who are mentally and physically prepared. The guidelines also acknowledge the potential role of digital technologies, such as active video games or phone apps that encourage movement, in managing childhood obesity, though with a caveat about limiting excessive scree...
