childhood obesity

Experts say severe obesity at a very early age is nearly irreversible, and is strongly associated with chronic health problems and an early death.

New weight-loss medications and bariatric surgery have the potential to spare children health and social problems. But some parents think they're sending kids the wrong message about their bodies.

Young Black adults, Mexican Americans and other Hispanic adults experienced the greatest cardiovascular risk factors, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Many eating disorder specialists oppose the new guidance's focus on weight loss and BMI, and say it minimizes the risk of disordered eating and will perpetuate deep-rooted, damaging stigmas.

Instead of "watchful waiting," the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends intensive lifestyle and behavior therapy for young kids; and for older children, medication.

Expanded growth charts now include a body mass index of 60 — up from previous charts that stopped at 37. Officials also expanded measures to map severe obesity, which affects an estimated 4.5 million children and teens in the U.S.

Many parents have seen their kids' weight go up after months of disrupted schedules and excess screen time. Here's how to respond, without causing new problems, like body image issues.

Experts now say the procedure is the most effective treatment for severe childhood obesity, which affects a growing number of kids. But stigma and insurers often stand in the way.

Physicians often harbor unconscious bias against kids and teens with obesity. It affects how they talk with their patients and can make kids' health worse. Some doctors are trying a new approach.

A recent study shows that childhood obesity continues to increase across the country. With few exceptions, the rate of obesity among children is also on...