A Seminar, and So Much More

June 4, 2026
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“Overweight” and “obesity” are shifty characters who refuse to stand still and have their pictures taken for the record.

Studies Suggest GLP-1 Medications May Help Slow Progression of Some Cancers

June 3, 2026
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New research suggests GLP-1 medications may help slow the progression of certain cancers and reduce mortality risk, though more studies are needed.

Early-Life Junk Food Rewires the Brain

June 1, 2026
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New research suggests childhood junk food may permanently rewire the brain, increasing overeating risk and impacting long-term health.

Rethinking the “Adiposity Rebound”

May 20, 2026
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New research challenges the “adiposity rebound” theory, suggesting early childhood BMI increases may reflect healthy muscle growth, not fat gain.

Cherished Belief Bites the Dust — Or Not

May 19, 2026
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Does marijuana cause users to “get the munchies” and consequently grow obese? It ain’t necessarily so. One study showed weight loss.

CDC Updates Its Childhood Obesity Facts

May 13, 2026
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Childhood obesity in the U.S.: rising rates, health disparities, economic impact, and the importance of early prevention.

GLP-1 Coverage Cuts by Medicaid

May 6, 2026
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Some states are reconsidering Medicaid coverage for GLP-1 weight loss drugs amid rising costs. What does it mean for obesity treatment access?

What New Research Says About Childhood Growth and BMI

April 29, 2026
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New research suggests BMI increases in children may reflect muscle growth, not body fat, highlighting the importance of waist-to-height ratio.

Genetics May Shape the Future of GLP-1 Medications

April 22, 2026
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Explore how genetics may influence the effectiveness of GLP-1 medications in children with obesity, and what personalized treatment means for the future.

Is There an Ultra-Processed Foods Coverup?

April 15, 2026
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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
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Learn how GLP-1 medications are transforming childhood obesity treatment, including benefits, risks, and access challenges for families.

Spectacular Obesity Costs Spotlighted

April 9, 2026
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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.

How Childhood Obesity May Be Reshaping the American Dream

March 27, 2026
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Childhood obesity may limit future income and mobility. Learn how early health impacts education, careers, and the American Dream.

The D-Word Makes an Appearance

March 17, 2026
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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
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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
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As society operates today, high weight status coexists with low societal status and low economic status, and quite often with racial minority status.

CDC: Child and Teen Obesity at Record High

March 4, 2026
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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.

Family Values and Trust Shape Decisions About GLP-1 Meds for Kids

January 28, 2026
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Caregivers’ trust, values, and food insecurity shape decisions about GLP-1 medications for children with obesity, highlighting need for shared decision-making.

FDA Approves Wegovy Pill

December 26, 2025
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FDA approves the first Wegovy weight loss pill, offering an oral GLP-1 alternative with results similar to injections.

New Gut Research for Obesity and Diabetes

December 17, 2025
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New research reveals how gut microbes send metabolites to the liver and heart, shaping insulin sensitivity and metabolism linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes.

New Global Review Reveals Key Early-Life Factors Driving Childhood Obesity

November 26, 2025
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A global review of 177 studies reveals key early-life factors driving childhood obesity, highlighting risks, research gaps, and opportunities for prevention.

The Fast-Changing GLP-1 Landscape and Employee Coverage

November 14, 2025
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GLP-1 drugs are reshaping diabetes and weight-loss care. Here’s how new treatments, pricing shifts, and coverage decisions impact employer health plans.

The Basis of Castlewood

November 13, 2025
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While learning about dissociative identity disorder, psychiatry found that there might be more than one alternative personality along with the original.

GLP-1 Drugs and Youth: Why More Research Is Needed Before Expanding Use

November 7, 2025
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When it comes to kids and GLP-1s, careful consideration is just as vital as clinical innovation.

Diabetes Still Rising Despite Weight-Loss Drug Boom

October 31, 2025
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U.S. obesity rates drop as GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy surge, but diabetes hits a record high, new Gallup data shows.

How AI Could Help Kids Develop Healthier Eating Habits by Tracking Bite Rate

October 22, 2025
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Penn State researchers are using AI to track how quickly kids eat — a key factor linked to childhood obesity risk.

Managing Obesity With Long-Term Care

October 15, 2025
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Learn how evidence-based treatments like semaglutide, tirzepatide, and GLP-1 receptor agonists are reshaping adult and pediatric obesity care.

Childhood Obesity in Europe: Could GLP-1 Drugs Play a Role?

October 1, 2025
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Childhood obesity in Europe is rising. Experts debate GLP-1 drugs for kids: balancing safety, access, and prevention in tackling this epidemic.

Mounjaro Shows Promise for Kids With Type 2 Diabetes, Study Finds

September 24, 2025
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New study shows Mounjaro lowers blood sugar and BMI in kids with Type 2 diabetes, paving the way for FDA approval in younger patients.

Yale Study Explores How Obesity Impacts Health

August 27, 2025
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Yale study finds 20–40% of obesity-related conditions in U.S. youth are tied to obesity, highlighting the importance of early prevention and treatment.

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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