Pediatric obesity is now of epidemic proportions in the United States, with 1 in 5 children meeting the definition of pediatric obesity. Even more concerning is that minoritized populations, including black populations and Hispanic populations, have closer to 1 in 4 children meeting that definition.I often get asked by patients how to help kids with a certain eating pattern or where to seek help for a child struggling with their weight, so I invited Dr. Tamara ("Tami") Hannon to share her expertise in this episode. Dr. Hannon is a board certified pediatric endocrinologist with specific training and expertise in patient-oriented clinical research in youth with obesity, conditions of insulin resistance, and diabetes. In this episode, we discuss how parents can best support obese children, when it might be appropriate to look into obesity medications, and whether genetics can play a role.Reminder: I am a physician but I’m not your physician. Everything that’s on this podcast is for informational purposes, so please talk to your doctor about what is right for you. There is no medical advice being given on this podcast.To read the full show notes, click here.Audio Stamps:00:35 - Dr. Rentea introduces today’s guest, Dr. Tami Hannon, and tells us her background.02:41 - Dr. Hannon reveals what type of physician she is and which patients she helps.04:53 - We discover the magnitude of the obesity epidemic we’re experiencing with kids today.06:45 - Dr. Rentea asks what the metabolic impact is for the pediatric population when there’s a diagnosis of obesity. 10:35 - Dr. Hannon provides recommendations for parents who are seeking help for their kids.13:08 - We find out how genetics could play a role in obesity.18:00  - Dr. Hannon tells us when it is appropriate for a family to seek out help with obesity medication and tells us the current stance on these medications in the pediatric world.20:43 - We learn who should be prescribing such obesity medicines.26:10 - Dr. Rentea and Dr. Hannon discuss the global picture of obesity. 27:25 - Dr. Hannon gives us her two tips that families can do in the home to support a child they have concerns about.29:10 - We learn more about the Health At Every Size movement.Quotes:“We are not going to ‘out-medicine’ this problem. While medicine is a tool, this is something that our society has to grapple with.”“It’s very clear that genetics play a huge role in the amount of body weight we carry.”“The number one most impactful thing that a parent can do is eliminate sugary beverages.”“Although I firmly endorse daily exercise as a life skill and it’s very important for our bodies and minds, it is not going to lead to weight loss most of the time without dietary changes.”“What we know is that lifestyle interventions alone don’t really translate to weight loss in children most of the time.”All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast. If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com