Parents Can Prevent Childhood Obesity

When parents learn why children gain too much weight and how to prevent childhood obesity, the entire family benefits. Here's what you should know.

If you think you’re seeing more youngsters with obesity, you’re correct. About 20 percent of American kids are heavy enough to eventually have serious health problems, up from 5 percent in the 1970s.

Parents make the difference.

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What is childhood obesity?

Your child’s doctor can provide guidance on healthy weights for boys and girls at different ages and heights.

The best measure is a child’s waistline (that’s also true for adults). For example, a six-year-old child with a waistline greater than 25 inches is at risk of metabolic syndrome, a group of illnesses related to obesity.

More often, you’ll see body mass index (BMI) charts based on age, height, and gender. A high BMI may be a sign of excess body fat, although it does not directly measure body fat amount. Your child’s doctor can test for excess fat if your child’s BMI is high.

Although genetics can play a role, the main causes of childhood obesity are eating too much, a diet lacking key nutrients, and too little physical activity.

Why preventing childhood obesity is important

Obesity is a chronic illness. Children with obesity are at higher risk to suffer from its health risks as adults and develop:

• Asthma
• Sleep apnea
• Bone and joint problems
• Type 2 diabetes

In addition, they are more likely to have risk factors for developing heart disease and several types of cancer as an adult.

Significantly overweight children are also teased and bullied more than kids with a normal weight, and they are more likely to feel isolated and depressed and suffer from low self-esteem.

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