Psychiatric Meds Can Bring on Rapid Weight Gain in Kids

Brittany Harris
10/28/09
Sills


A recent study has found that many young children and adolescents who have been prescribed drugs due to severe psychiatric problems are gaining a substantial amount of weight. In some cases, this also links to an increase in LDL cholesterol levels as well. The information and thus results found in this study have been known for some time now. However, it doesn’t seem as though the problem is going to cease or go away. With the increasing weight gain among our American youth, researchers find themselves back at square one. In fact, psychiatrist Zucker Hillside says, “We are between a rock and a hard place here.”
This is definitely not an easy issue to resolve because one literally feeds off the other. Severe disorders and mental problems such as those which call for medication cannot go without medical attention. However, those medications used to control and keep these young patients alive are adding to the ongoing American problem of obesity and excessive weight gain. The recent study monitored a total of 272 children between the ages of 4 and 19. Almost all of the children were receiving meds for the first time and the 15 who were left, refused to take the drugs (but agreed to see the doctor). After only, 11 weeks the patients had gained anywhere from 10 to 20 pounds depending on the drug. The biological reasoning for the weight gain remains obscure, however some effects are evident. Carbohydrate cravings are obvious and this is something that we already know. As mentioned in the article, “The appetite of these youngsters dramatically goes up” while “they’re not out running around, expending calories”.
Reaction: Overall, I think this is a very unfortunate case to try and resolve. If a child or adolescent is suffering from a severe psychological disorder or issue, it is essential that he or she seek and receive treatment. However, with the increasing severe issue of obesity and excessive weight gain among Americans there must be some kind of resource to help keep the problem under control. As mentioned in the last sentence of the article summary, these patients are not exercising and thus working off those excess calories. If this is a known fact, I would think that a part of “treatment” from psychiatrist, etc. would be to order some of exercises for their patients. If that means referring them to some type of physical training then so be it but we have to also help our younger generations stay as healthy as possible.

http://www.usnews.com/science/articles/2009/10/27/psychiatric-meds-can-bring-on-rapid-weight-gain-in-kids.html