The doctor says my child is obese, what does that mean?

Obesity is defined as when a person has too much body fat and is not to be confused with being overweight, which is when a person weighs too much.

Obesity is determined differently for children than it is for adults, since a child’s body composition changes so much at every age.

BMI, or body mass index, is calculated using a child’s height and weight. It is then checked against an age and sex-specific percentile to classify if the child has overweight or obesity. For children 2 to 19 years old, overweight is classified as having a BMI between the 85th and 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex. Obesity is considered having a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex. As part of a well-child care doctor appointment, a pediatrician will calculate a child’s BMI and use the CDC growth charts to determine the child’s BMI percentile.

There are a few factors that could contribute, whether alone or in combination, to childhood obesity, including:

Poor diet;
Lack of exercise;
Family history;
Psychological dynamics; and
Socioeconomic factors.

Children with obesity run the risk of developing both physical and emotion complications, such as:

Type 2 diabetes;
High blood pressure and high cholesterol;
Breathing problems, such as asthma and sleep apnea;
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease;
Early puberty/menstruation;
Joint problems;
Low self-esteem;
Behavior and learning problems; or
Depression.

Childhood obesity is especially dangerous as the extra weight from adolescence could transform into lifelong health problems, and children with obesity are much more likely to become adults with obesity. Health problems in adults with obesity could include heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancer and osteoarthritis.

Although a doctor can suggest the most effective treatment plan for obesity, weight loss is typically the recommended plan. For weight loss to occur, more calories need to be burned than consumed. Healthy living should be encouraged as a family affair to achieve the most successful results. Small changes can mean a healthier lifestyle for the whole family, which may include:

Choosing fruits and vegetables as snacks;
Limiting sugary drinks;
Eating meals as a family;
Limiting fast food and not eating out;
Watching portion sizes;
Limiting TV and computer time; or
Getting at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day.

Talk to a doctor about before starting a weight loss plan, to ensure that it is the right approach for your child’s situation.

Additional information may be found at these websites:

http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/basics.html

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-obesity/basics/definition/con-20027428

http://www.nim.nih.gov/medlineplus/obesity/html