Daijiworld Media Network – Stockholm County

Stockholm County, Jan 22: Childhood obesity treatment significantly reduces the risk of obesity-related diseases and premature death in young adulthood, but it doesn't impact depression or anxiety, according to new research from Karolinska Institutet.

The study highlights that children who successfully manage obesity through behavioural lifestyle therapy, which includes support for healthy eating, exercise, and sleep, are less likely to develop conditions like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and high blood fat levels. However, mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression, remain unaffected, suggesting these issues require separate treatment.

Emilia Hagman, a leading researcher at the department of clinical science, says the findings bring ‘great news,’ affirming that treating obesity early can help mitigate long-term health risks. In addition, the research underscores the crucial role of timely intervention to prevent premature death linked to obesity.

Despite these health benefits, Dr Hagman emphasizes the need for parallel treatments to address both obesity and mental health, as weight loss alone does not reduce the risk of depression or anxiety. The study followed over 6,700 children who underwent obesity treatment and tracked their health into adulthood using multiple health registers in Sweden.

Though drugs like GLP-1 analogues are gaining popularity, they were not part of the study, as they were not available at the time. Nonetheless, experts agree that lifestyle therapy remains the cornerstone of childhood obesity treatment.

The next phase of research will focus on identifying the most effective therapies for different individuals and understanding the key health markers that predict long-term outcomes.