Today in the U.S., one third of children are overweight or obese, and this number is continuing to rise. For children and adolescents aged 2-19 years, the prevalence of obesity stands at 18.5% and has affected about 13.7 million children and adolescents. Obesity disproportionately affects children from low-income families.
Studies show that overweight children are at high risk of becoming overweight adolescents and adults, putting them at risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes later in life. They are also more prone to develop stress, sadness and low self-esteem.
If you suspect that your child is gaining excess weight, the best person to evaluate for obesity is your child’s doctor. In determining whether or not your child is overweight, the doctor will measure your child’s weight and height and compute his BMI (body mass index) to compare this number to standard values. The doctor will also consider your child’s age and growth patterns.
Children become overweight and obese for a variety of reasons. The most common causes are sociological factors such as a lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns, and the influence of parents and adults. Only in rare cases is being overweight caused by a medical condition such as a hormonal problem or genetic predisposition. A visit to the pediatrician or primary care physician for a general physical exam and some blood tests, i.e. thyroid activity, can rule out the possibility of a medical condition as the cause for obesity.
Although weight problems run in families, not all children with a family history of obesity will be overweight. Kids whose parents, brothers or sisters are overweight may be at an increased risk of becoming overweight themselves, but this can be linked to shared family behaviors such as eating and activity habits.
Although weight problems run in families, not all children
with a family history of obesity will be overweight.
Total diet habits and activity level play important roles in determining a child’s weight. Today, many kids spend a lot of time being inactive. For example, the average child spends approximately four hours each day watching television. As computers and video games become increasingly popular, the number of hours of inactivity may increase.
Children have fewer weight-related health and medical problems than adults. Obese kids are at risk for a number of conditions, including high cholesterol, hypertension, early heart disease, diabetes and skin problems like psoriasis and fungal infections. Children who develop type 2 diabetes have been shown to progress to more severe diabetics as they become adults. By the time they reach early adulthood, childhood diabetics frequently require insulin and are prone to developing diabetes-related complications earlier that are more severe than adult-onset diabetics.
If you have an overweight child, it is very important that you allow him or her to know that you will be supportive. Children’s feelings about themselves often are based on their parents’ feelings about them, and if you accept your kids at any weight, they will be more likely to feel good about themselves. It is also important to talk to your children about their weight, allowing them to share their concerns with you.
It is not recommended that parents set children apart because of their weight. Instead, parents should focus on gradually changing the family’s physical activity and eating habits. By involving the entire family, everyone is taught healthful habits and the overweight child does not feel singled out.
There are many ways to involve the entire family in healthy habits, but increasing physical activity is especially important. Some ways to accomplish this include:
- Lead by example. If your kids see that you are physically active and having fun, they are more likely to be active and stay active throughout their lives.
- Plan family activities that provide everyone with exercise, like walking, biking or swimming.
- Be sensitive to your child’s needs. Overweight kids may feel uncomfortable about participating in certain activities. It is important to help your child find physical activities that they enjoy and that aren’t embarrassing or too difficult for them.
- Make an effort to reduce the amount of time you and your family spend in sedentary activities, such as watching TV or playing video games.
Whatever approach parents choose to take regarding an overweight child, the purpose is not to make physical activity and following a healthy diet a chore, but to make the most of the opportunities you and your family have to be active and healthy.
There are several ways state and local organizations can create a supportive environment to promote healthy living behaviors that prevent obesity. Changes to food packaging, the CDC’s early obesity program and the Let’s Move! Initiative have been making positive changes. A new study shows that 34 of 56 Women, Infants & Children (WIC) State Agencies saw modest decreases in obesity among young children from 2010-2014. The percentage of low-income children (ages 2-4) with obesity enrolled in the WIC program decreased from 15.9% in 2010 to 14.5% in 2014.
There is no single or simple solution to the obesity epidemic. It’s a complex problem and there has to be a multifaceted approach. Policymakers, state and local organizations, business and community leaders, schools, childcare and healthcare professionals, and individuals must work together to create an environment that supports a healthy lifestyle. Ultimately, parents are the most influential aspect on a child and efforts that begin at home can have the longest and most important positive impact.
