Updated Canadian Guidelines for Pediatric Obesity Care

Table of Contents:

• Recognition of obesity as a chronic, progressive disease
• Emphasis on mental health support, not just physical outcomes
• Inclusion of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro as treatment options for children over 12
• Surgical interventions allowed in select high-risk cases
• Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto pioneers integrated care
• GLP-1 medications like Ozempic enter the conversation
• Weight-loss surgery as a last-resort option
• Reducing stigma and rethinking outcomes

Recognition of obesity as a chronic, progressive disease

 The new recommendations emphasize a patient-centered approach, expanded treatment options, and attention to mental health and stigma reduction.

Key highlights from the new guidelines include:

• Recognition of obesity as a chronic, progressive disease
• Emphasis on mental health support, not just physical outcomes
• Inclusion of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro as treatment options for children over 12
• Surgical interventions allowed in select high-risk cases

The updated guidelines were developed by Obesity Canada and the Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres, and published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto pioneers integrated care

At the center of these changes is the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, where a multidisciplinary model of care has been shown to improve health outcomes. Brenndon Goodman, who underwent bariatric surgery after years of failed weight-loss efforts, is one example of the model's success.

Teams at the hospital include dietitians, psychologists, and physicians working together to address not just physical health, but also the genetic and emotional factors involved in obesity. According to the new guidelines, this holistic approach should become the standard for pediatric obesity care nationwide.

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic enter the conversation

For the first time, the guidelines mention the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Ozempic and Mounjaro. These medications are already widely used to manage Type 2 diabetes and obesity in adults, but now are cautiously being considered for use in adolescents. Currently, they are recommended only for children aged 12 and up, and only after careful risk-benefit evaluation.

Although promising in terms of effectiveness, health officials caution that long-term data on the use of these medications in children is still limited. Researchers call for more pediatric-focused studies to better understand side effects and long-term outcomes.

Weight-loss surgery as a last-resort option

For some children, especially those with severe health complications like obstructive sleep apnea or insulin resistance, the guidelines state that bariatric surgery may be an appropriate treatment, if other interventions have failed. Such procedures must be considered only after a thorough consultation process involving families and specialists, and only if the child meets specific clinical criteria.

Surgery, while not common, can offer significant improvements in both physical and mental health. Brenndon Goodman, now 30, reported long-term benefits from his procedure, crediting the support he received before and after the operation.

Reducing stigma and rethinking outcomes

One of the most significant changes in the 2025 guidelines is the explicit recognition of stigma as a barrier to treatment. Unlike the 2007 version, the current document acknowledges that many children with obesity face discrimination, anxiety, and social isolation. The new approach frames obesity as a medical condition, not a failure of willpower.

In addition, the guidelines encourage physicians to focus on broader health indicators like quality of life, mental well-being, and management of associated conditions, rather than relying solely on weight or body mass index as measures of success.

The update reflects a shift in Canada’s medical understanding of childhood obesity, offering families more tools, more choices, and a more compassionate approach to managing a complex and often misunderstood disease.

Source: CBC