Reactions to New AAP Guidelines

As a weight-inclusive therapist, I firmly believe that health does not have a “look.” In other words, you cannot tell if someone is healthy based on outward appearance. In today’s society, we are taught that health can be determined by diet and exercise or by the size of a person’s body, but we so often forget that there are so many other factors that go into a person’s health. Think environment, oppression, racism, poverty, weight stigma and fatphobia, access to food and health care, and so much more. It is not as simple as boiling it down to calories and cardio.

In January, the American Academy of Pediatrics released new guidelines that, in short, allow doctors to recommend weight loss surgeries and medication to children as young as 12 years old. As an eating disorder therapist and a mom, I am outraged and disheartened. If our healthcare system truly cares about the health of kids, then recommending weight loss surgery that inevitably leads to malnutrition and other severe consequences is far from the answer. Recommending weight loss medication with no evidence of efficacy or long-term consequences is irresponsible.

Let’s be real. These guidelines are negligent. They are grotesque. And they are setting up our most vulnerable population-children in larger bodies- for an eating disorder at worst and disembodiment at best.

As I thought about what I would like to write, I decided that it would be far more appropriate to lift up the voices of people have lived experience in larger bodies. These voices need to be heard. I highly recommend looking into the following resources:

Anything by Aubrey Gordon, but especially her podcast episode entitled “Doctors Have a New Plan for Fat Kids” (https://www.maintenancephase.com) or book entitled “You Just Need to Lose Weight” and 19 Other Myths About Fat People.

The Body is Not an Apology, by Sonia Renee Taylor

I also recommend the resources provided by The National Alliance for Eating Disorders (https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com), including support groups led by therapists.