The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has recommended that young people with obesity should receive intensive behavioral counseling. According to a systematic review conducted by the task force, kids and teens aged 6 and older who have a high BMI (95% or greater) should undergo at least 26 hours of “comprehensive, intensive behavioral interventions.” This official recommendation was published in JAMA.
Children and adolescents in the United States are facing a rising issue of severe childhood obesity. Approximately 19.7% of kids between 2 and 19 years old have a BMI at or above 95%, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Certain ethnic groups and those from lower-income families are more likely to have obesity.
It is important to note that while BMI is not a perfect measure of obesity, most children with a BMI above 95% will fall into the obese category. This new guidance from the USPSTF is considered a call to action by experts like Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurologist and longevity expert. Dr. Osborn sees obesity as a “gateway disease” that can lead to other health issues like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and certain cancers.
To address this growing concern, Dr. Osborn emphasizes the importance of behavioral interventions that focus on supervised physical activity, healthy eating education, and behavior change techniques. In some cases, incorporating medications like GLP-I agonists, such as Ozempic, may be necessary to kick-start weight loss when behavioral interventions alone are not enough.
Dr. Osborn believes that preventing and managing obesity is crucial in order to prevent a cascade of future diseases. By revolutionizing public health efforts to combat obesity, we can help young individuals adopt healthier lifestyles and avoid serious health complications in the future.
In conclusion, the recommendation for intensive behavioral counseling for young people with obesity is a significant step towards addressing the growing issue of childhood obesity in the U.S. By combining behavioral interventions with necessary medications, we can work towards preventing a host of health problems associated with obesity and promoting long-term well-being for children and adolescents.
