Obesity In Children

What is obesity in children?

Your child is obese when he weighs too much for his age and height. Obesity is measured by using body mass index (BMI). BMI is a way to measure body fat. Caregivers will use your child's age, height, and weight to learn his BMI. A child is obese when his BMI is 95 percent or higher than it should be for his age.

What causes or increases the risk of obesity in children?

A calorie is a unit of energy that the body gets from food. If your child eats more calories than his body can use, his body stores the extra calories as fat. This extra fat adds weight to your child's body. Some causes of weight gain include:

• Poor diet: Your child may have a poor diet if he eats too many foods that are high in fat and sugar. Examples are hamburgers, french fries, donuts, potato chips, and sugar-sweetened soda. Eating these foods often can cause your child to consume more calories than his body needs.
  
  
• Lack of exercise: Your child may not get enough exercise if he spends a lot of time watching TV, playing video games, or using the computer.
  
  
• Genetics: If you or other people in your family are obese, your child is more likely to be obese.
  
  
• Medicines and diseases: Certain medicines and diseases can cause weight gain, or make it more likely that you child will be obese.

What are the signs and symptoms of obesity in children?

• Trouble doing activities such as climbing stairs or playing running games
  
  
• Restless sleep and snoring
  
  
• Shortness of breath (this may occur during rest or during activity)
  
  
• Tiredness

How is obesity in children diagnosed?

Your child's caregiver will do a physical exam and measure his height and weight. He may also measure his waist. He will ask questions about your child's habits and activities. Tell caregivers if there are other family members who are obese or have medical problems. Your child's caregiver may order tests to check for other medical problems.

How is obesity in children treated?

The goals for your child are to decrease weight gain and to make sure he is growing normally. Weight loss will decrease your child's risk for health problems such as asthma and diabetes. Losing weight may also help your child feel better about himself.

• Lifestyle changes:
  
  
  • Diet: Your child's caregiver may suggest that you and your child meet with a nutritionist. Ask your child's caregiver before you put him on a diet. The following may help your child:
    
    
    • Include more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats in your child's meals. Give him skim milk and water instead of juice and soda.
      
      
    • Make meals a fun time for your family. Turn off the television or radio. Teach your child to chew slowly and enjoy his food.
      
      
    • Instead of rewarding good behavior with food, give your child time to read or play a game.
      
      
    • Do not make your child finish everything on his plate. Tell your child that it is okay to stop eating when he feels full.
      
      
    • Your child may eat more when there is stress in his life. Teach your child healthy ways to cope with stress.
    
    
  • Physical activity: Physical activity burns extra calories. This may help your child lose weight. Make exercise a family activity. Find sports or activities that are fun for your child. Aim for your child to get 60 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Talk to your child's caregiver before you start your child on an exercise program.
    
    
    • Limit TV, video games, and computer time to 1 to 2 hours each day.
      
      
    • Encourage your child to sleep at least 7 to 8 hours each night.
  
  

• Medicines: Certain types of medicine may help your child lose weight when he follows a healthy diet and does regular exercise.
  
  
  • Appetite suppressant: This medicine helps your child feel full so he may want to eat less food.
    
    
  • Lipase inhibitor: This medicine blocks your child's body from absorbing the fat he eats.
  
  

What are the risks of obesity?

• Your child could already have or be at risk for serious health problems including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Obesity increases the risk of arthritis and breathing problems such as asthma. It may affect sex hormones and cause your child to mature sooner. Girls may begin having monthly periods sooner than expected. Your child may be teased by other kids, and feel bad about himself, which can cause him to have trouble at school. He may feel sad and hopeless. Obese children are more likely to be obese as adults, which increases the risk for medical problems caused by obesity.
  
  
• Your child may lose weight and then gain it back. Obesity medicines can cause diarrhea and other side effects.

Where can I find more information?

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  1600 Clifton Road
  Atlanta , GA 30333
  Phone: 1- 800 - 232-4636
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov
  

• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  120 S. Riverside Plaza, Ste 2000
  Chicago , IL 60606-6995
  Phone: 1- 800 - 877-1600
  Web Address: http://www.eatright.org
  

When should I contact my child's caregiver?

Call your child's caregiver if:

• Your child has a rash or itchy skin after he starts a new medicine.
  
  
• Your child has diarrhea after he starts a new medication.
  
  
• Your child is snoring or having trouble sleeping.
  
  
• Your child begins to drink a lot and urinate often, and he is suddenly very hungry and thirsty.
  
  
• Your child has a very fast heartbeat without exercising.
  
  
• Your child is gaining more weight in a short amount of time.
  
  
• Your child does not want to do his normal activities, or he is doing poorly in school.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.

When should I seek immediate care for my child?

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• Your child has chest pain.
  
  
• Your child has trouble breathing.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers to decide what care you want for your child.

Learn more about Obesity In Children