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Podcast: Stay Current in Pediatric Surgery
Episode: Pediatric Obesity Is a Disease: Treatment, Medications, Surgery & Equity in Care w/ Dr. Justin Ryder
Description: In this segment from Lurie Children’s Hospital, Dr. Justin Ryder breaks down the evolving science and treatment paradigm of pediatric obesity—highlighting why it must be approached as a chronic, biologically driven disease rather than a lifestyle issue.Key Highlights:Obesity Is a Disease: Pediatric obesity is multifactorial, shaped by genetics, epigenetics, hormones, environment, stress, and socioeconomic factors. The newest AAP guidelines formally recognize obesity as a disease and recommend active treatment—not watchful waiting.Shift in Clinical Practice: Treatment should be offered to children above the 85th percentile BMI. The model has sh...