Being overweight or obese means your weight is above an ideal weight range. Appropriate weight ranges are calculated using the body mass index (BMI). For anyone under 20 years of age, these scales are based on height, weight, sex, and date of birth. Child and teen BMI results differ from adult BMI. This is because they are compared to the results of other children and teens in the same age range. This extra step takes into account that children and teens are still growing. BMI levels for anyone under age 20 are as follows:
Calories are taken into your body through food and drink. They are used for:
Excess weight gain occurs when this balance of calories taken in and calories used is not kept in place. If this happens regularly, it will lead to obesity. Some things that can cause children and teens to take in more calories than they use are:
These factors increase your child’s chance of being overweight or obese:
Symptoms of obesity include:
Excess weight increases the chance of a child developing:
The doctor will:
Tests may include the following:
Obesity can be difficult to treat. Success requires that parents and caretakers play an active role. Medical professionals may also be needed to assist in weight loss, such as a:
The doctor or medical specialist may recommend:
Have your child follow basic healthy eating habits, such as:
Other steps you can take include:
In more severe cases, your child may have to follow a meal plan.
Encourage your child to:
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these general guidelines for your child:
In more severe cases, your doctor may provide a specific activity plan.
Some children who are obese may already have serious conditions due to their weight, such as:
Other children may have a hard time losing weight despite following guidelines. For these children, other options may be considered, such as:
To help reduce your child’s chance of being overweight or obese:
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.aap.org/
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Dietitians of Canada
http://www.dietitians.ca/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/
References:
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Childhood obesity. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry website. Available at: http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/obesity_in_children_and_teens . Accessed March 18, 2010.
American Academy of Pediatrics. Prevention and treatment of childhood overweight and obesity. American Academy of Pediatrics website. Available at: http://www.aap.org/obesity/index.html . Accessed March 18, 2010.
American Heart Association. Overweight in children. American Heart Association website. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4670 . Accessed March 18, 2010.
Carson-Dewitt R. Obesity. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=81 . Accessed March 18, 2010.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children's BMI tool for school. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/childrens_bmi/tool_for_schools.html . Accessed March 19, 2010.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tips for parents: ideas to help children maintain a healthy weight. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/children/index.html. Accessed 3/19/2010 . Accessed March 18, 2010.
DynaMed Editors. Obesity in children and adolescents. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Accessed March 18, 2010.
Kids Health Nemours. Overweight and obesity. Kids Health Nemours website. Available at: http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/overweight_obesity.html . Accessed March 18, 2010.
4/16/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Díaz RG, Esparza-Romero J, Moya-Camarena SY, Robles-Sardín AE, Valencia ME. Lifestyle intervention in primary care settings improves obesity parameters among Mexican youth. J Am Diet Assoc. 2010;110(2):285-290.
10/15/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php: US Food and Drug Administration. Meridia (sibutramine): market withdrawal due to risk of serious cardiovascular events. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm228830.htm. Published October 8, 2010. Accessed October 15, 2010.
Last reviewed April 2010 by Kari Kassir, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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