Obese children should get at least 26 hours per year of counseling, panel says [Video]

Healthcare professionals should provide behavioral interventions to help children with a high body index manage their weight and stay healthy, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said in a study released Tuesday. 

The study says that children age 6 and older who have a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for age and sex on the growth chart would benefit from behavioral interventions. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says these interventions could include education about healthy eating habits, counseling on behavioral change techniques, such as goal setting and problem-solving, and supervised exercise sessions.

The task force recommends healthcare providers spend at least 26 hours a year on these behavioral interventions.

“Almost one out of every five children and teens in the U.S. has a high BMI,” task force member John M. Ruiz said in a statement. “Fortunately, there are a variety of effective intensive behavioral interventions available that …