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Comment by nancyhn | Hacker News Reader

Here the American Academy of Pediatrics is calling for more surgery, but not a word about preventing the situation in the first place. Why are they so focused on highlighting sickcare? What about prevention education?

The researchers also noted that metabolic and bariatric surgery is a “safe and effective treatment” for severe obesity, saying that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a statement last year calling for increased pediatric access to these surgeries...

“The AAP has highlighted the need to educate pediatricians about the benefits of MBS for qualified patients,” the letter reads.

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The surgery, if done right, makes it hard to impossible for the person to ingest too much food. Results can inverse if the person keeps trying to increase their portions with time, and they can’t get a second surgery, but if someone is committed, the surgery can be a stepping stone for them to fix their eating problem. That said, the reason some overeat is often depression and the lack of energy that comes from not being able to eat as much leads to worsening mental health. If you don’t know how to adjust your diet for a smaller stomach (more proteins and filling food, less carbs) the mental health issues grow worse.

The AAP advocates for 60 minutes of physical activity daily. This is old news.

From 2020, "A new AAP clinical report aims to give clinicians guidance to help patients achieve physical activity levels for improved health...

...Strong evidence shows that physical activity improves body composition, decreases cardiovascular disease risk and is a preferred treatment for fatty liver disease and prediabetes. Additionally, research shows benefits in children with ADHD and depression.

When it comes to health promotion, regular physical activity assessment and counseling can help improve gross motor development and physical literacy, academic performance, sleep and behavior, while it reduces teen risk-taking behaviors and helps prevent obesity and other chronic diseases. The benefits and value of physical activity extend to all children, including those with special health care needs."

Source: https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/12302

What would you believe they should recommend instead?

Probably physical activity and a healthy diet, both of which they've been advocating for for decades. This is an odd comment.

So they should double down on the thing they've been advocating for decades as the obesity epidemic has exploded, and not look at the only options that have proven effective. That seems like an odd recommendation.

Not really, plenty of people have "discovered" that proper food intake and exercise actually works. Very few follow through long term and they are looking for a pharma answer, which is profitable so sure they are willing to fill that want.

The term diet I'm avoiding here itself is viewed as a temporary change these days, but it must be a permanent change to actually work.

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