Because 20% of kids in the US are considered fat, health officials are pushing for therapy to start early.
To deal with the problem, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says that kids as young as six should get at least 26 hours of intense counseling.
The task force found that behavioral weight management treatment was linked to small drops in body mass index between six and twelve months.
A board-certified expert in family medicine and obesity, Dr. Timothy Quinn, told NewsNation that the idea makes sense.
It has been shown through studies that this kind of counseling—this early help for these little kids who are overweight—is helpful, Quinn said.
Quinn said that the counseling is focused on teaching kids healthy habits like getting more exercise, spending less time in front of a screen, and eating better.
Quinn thinks that it would be helpful for the child’s family to be involved in therapy as well as the kid himself.
“Studies have shown that this mix of intensive counseling with parents is very helpful for these overweight teens and young adults.”
Quinn thinks that it would be helpful for the child’s family to be involved in therapy as well as the kid himself.
“Studies have shown that this mix of intensive counseling with parents is very helpful for these overweight teens and young adults.”