It’s the Newsiest — Breakfast, Cereal, and Kids

April 23, 2026
Leave a Comment

Breakfast cereals contain increasing amounts of sugar, fat and sodium, studies found. And the situation is not improving.

Genetics May Shape the Future of GLP-1 Medications

April 22, 2026
Leave a Comment

Explore how genetics may influence the effectiveness of GLP-1 medications in children with obesity, and what personalized treatment means for the future.

Ultra-Processed Foods Cover-up? Part 2

April 21, 2026
Leave a Comment

A true scientist doesn’t care how many times research has to start over, or how often a theory needs to be revised, as long as truth is reached in the end.

Is There an Ultra-Processed Foods Coverup?

April 15, 2026
Leave a Comment

Today’s post carries on from “The Nutrition That Never Arrived,” which discusses the work of Dr. Dhruv Khullar, as well as a study of ultra-processed foods.

The Rise of GLP-1 Medications in Pediatric Obesity: Breakthrough or Barrier?

April 15, 2026
Leave a Comment

Learn how GLP-1 medications are transforming childhood obesity treatment, including benefits, risks, and access challenges for families.

The Nutrition That Never Arrived

April 14, 2026
Leave a Comment

The body knows the difference between an apple and a merchandised abomination of ingredients that no one in their right mind would want to ingest.

Spectacular Obesity Costs Spotlighted

April 9, 2026
Leave a Comment

A ton of money was being spent to repair the ravages of BPA on kids, and on young people and adults who had encountered it in early life.

Simple Daily Changes That Can Help Prevent Childhood Obesity

April 8, 2026
Leave a Comment

Learn how sleep, nutrition, screen time, and physical activity can support healthier kids.

Unacceptable Obesity Costs Suspected

April 7, 2026
Leave a Comment

Among the known thyroid system disruptors is a manufactured chemical called bisphenol A, familiarly referred to as BPA.

The Case of the Politically Incorrect Teacher

April 2, 2026
Leave a Comment

There is more to know about the incident in which a high school teacher caused quite a stir by inserting questions that referenced obesity into an exam.

Transforming Teen Health With Pediatric Lifestyle Medicine

April 1, 2026
Leave a Comment

Discover how pediatric lifestyle medicine is transforming teen health through personalized care, sustainable habits, and early intervention.

Other Expenses, Like Shame and Blame

March 31, 2026
Leave a Comment

We have been discussing the fiscal costs to society (namely, us) of obesity. But what are the psychological costs of shame and blame?

How Childhood Obesity May Be Reshaping the American Dream

March 27, 2026
Leave a Comment

Childhood obesity may limit future income and mobility. Learn how early health impacts education, careers, and the American Dream.

Additives and Advertising

March 26, 2026
Leave a Comment

Over the years, at least 1,000 chemicals found in food (or in the packaging that embraces it) have been identified as obesity-inducing, but few had been banned.

Cost Covers a Lot of Territory

March 24, 2026
Leave a Comment

Obesity has been allowed to take over and affect every American indirectly, even if the individuals themselves are not overweight.

The D-Word Makes Itself Felt

March 19, 2026
Leave a Comment

It’s simple, and has been proven. If weight loss is the goal, ultra-processed foods are bad, and minimally processed foods are good.

Pediatric Health Coaching Could Transform Prevention

March 18, 2026
Leave a Comment

Pediatric health coaching may help address childhood obesity by providing families with sustained behavioral support and improving long-term disease prevention.

The D-Word Makes an Appearance

March 17, 2026
Leave a Comment

Check out that headline: “Why Is the American Diet So Deadly?” The adjective isn’t “detrimental” or even “dangerous,” but a much more loaded d-word: deadly.

Study: Reducing Parent Stress May Help Prevent Childhood Obesity

March 13, 2026
Leave a Comment

New research shows reducing parent stress may help prevent childhood obesity. Learn how mindfulness and positive parenting support healthier kids.

Come At It Sideways

March 12, 2026
Leave a Comment

As society operates today, high weight status coexists with low societal status and low economic status, and quite often with racial minority status.

More Obesity-Associated Dangers and Costs

March 10, 2026
Leave a Comment

It comes as no surprise that, among these hefty young patients, leg fractures occur much more frequently than other kinds.

What, More Costs?

March 5, 2026
Leave a Comment

The chunky cherubs of yesteryear have grown into a nation of obedient consumers of empty calories, flashy colors, and harmful, revolting additives.

CDC: Child and Teen Obesity at Record High

March 4, 2026
Leave a Comment

CDC data show 21.1% of U.S. children have obesity — a record high. Experts warn of rising risks and call for urgent prevention and treatment efforts.

What Is Childhood Obesity’s Price Tag?

March 3, 2026
Leave a Comment

There is still more to be said about the cost of obesity to our society as a whole. We all end up paying for it in some way, shape, or form.

Distribution of Debt

February 26, 2026
Leave a Comment

All of this costs the American healthcare system a lot more than would have been the case if childhood obesity were not so widespread.

Childhood Obesity Treatment Gap

February 25, 2026
Leave a Comment

New anti-obesity drugs are transforming treatment, but children still face unacceptable delays. Learn why pediatric obesity therapies are so far behind.

Is It All About Money?

February 24, 2026
Leave a Comment

We humans, especially the ones who hope to prevent childhood obesity, can take it upon ourselves to discipline manufacturers.

Childhood Obesity on the Brain

February 19, 2026
Leave a Comment

Theoretically, to become a person with a smaller body ought to be the easiest transition of all. So then, what is the problem?

The New U.S. Dietary Guidelines Spark Praise, Pushback, and Policy Shifts

February 18, 2026
Leave a Comment

New U.S. Dietary Guidelines spark debate over carbs, red meat, industry influence, and school meal changes. Experts weigh in on benefits and concerns.

Weight-Loss Drugs Earn Piles, Boatloads, and Oodles

February 17, 2026
Leave a Comment

Despite widespread acceptance, it is totally possible that the entire semaglutide market, which may have promised too much too soon, could totally collapse.

FAQs and Media Requests: Click here…

Profiles: Kids Struggling with Weight

Profiles: Kids Struggling with Obesity top bottom

The Book

OVERWEIGHT: What Kids Say explores the obesity problem from the often-overlooked perspective of children struggling with being overweight.

About Dr. Robert A. Pretlow

Dr. Robert A. Pretlow is a pediatrician and childhood obesity specialist. He has been researching and spreading awareness on the childhood obesity epidemic in the US for more than a decade.
You can contact Dr. Pretlow at:

Presentations

Dr. Pretlow’s invited presentation at the American Society of Animal Science 2020 Conference
What’s Causing Obesity in Companion Animals and What Can We Do About It

Dr. Pretlow’s invited presentation at the World Obesity Federation 2019 Conference:
Food/Eating Addiction and the Displacement Mechanism

Dr. Pretlow’s Multi-Center Clinical Trial Kick-off Speech 2018:
Obesity: Tackling the Root Cause

Dr. Pretlow’s 2017 Workshop on
Treatment of Obesity Using the Addiction Model

Dr. Pretlow’s invited presentation for
TEC and UNC 2016

Dr. Pretlow’s invited presentation at the 2015 Obesity Summit in London, UK.

Dr. Pretlow’s invited keynote at the 2014 European Childhood Obesity Group Congress in Salzburg, Austria.

Dr. Pretlow’s presentation at the 2013 European Congress on Obesity in Liverpool, UK.

Dr. Pretlow’s presentation at the 2011 International Conference on Childhood Obesity in Lisbon, Portugal.

Dr. Pretlow’s presentation at the 2010 Uniting Against Childhood Obesity Conference in Houston, TX.

Food & Health Resources