An irreconcilable divide between the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and therapists and groups treating childhood eating disorders highlights the convoluted problem of childhood obesity amid a society where junk foods are cheap and plentiful and nutrition education is scarce.
The AAP’s new guidelines are meant to advise doctors on stronger treatments for obese child patients, especially those with dangerous comorbidities like diabetes. Eating disorder therapists and organizations say the AAP is overstating the health risks associated with obesity and the guidelines pose a greater risk, in and of themselves, because they will lead to an increase in disordered eating….