Overweight children and adolescents are a common sight in America today. The percentage of children who are overweight in America is about 33 percent, or one in three. Children and adolescents who are overweight are at risk for behavioral and physical consequences. Help a child in your life get healthier by educating yourself about childhood obesity and learning strategies to help solve the problem.
Identification
To identify whether your child has a weight problem, take him to the pediatrician for a checkup. His pediatrician will weigh and measure him and tell you whether he is overweight or obese. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an overweight child is a child whose body mass index is between the 85th and 95th percentile. An obese child has a BMI of greater than 95 percent when compared to children the same gender and age. Use an online BMI calculator for children to determine your child's BMI.
Causes
Children today are heavier than in past decades mainly due to lifestyle choices. Dr. Bob Keith, extension nutritionist and Auburn University professor of nutrition and food science, says that a high calorie diet and a lack of physical activity are the two main reasons for the obesity epidemic among children. Lack of activity among children stems from the time spent in front of the television, playing video games and watching movies. Keith also points to the lack of physical education classes in many schools as a contributing factor to childhood obesity.
Dangers
Children and adolescents who are overweight may suffer unwelcome emotional and physical effects. MayoClinic.com states that some overweight children suffer from low or diminished self-esteem and depression. Overweight children are often the subject of teasing and bullying at school. Diseases previously isolated in the older population such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure are increasingly common in young people.
Solutions
The American Heart Association recommends helping your child lose weight by reducing the number of calories she eats. Make healthy substitutions when cooking, pack her lunch with appealing foods and have a supply of low-calorie snacks at home. Avoid restaurant meals when possible. Be physically active as a family so your child does not feel singled out. Go to the pool together, take walks in the evening or early morning or join a community center. If your child is interested in sports, practice with her in the evening to improve her skills.
Considerations
If your child or teen is overweight, take steps to help him overcome his problem. According to Colorado State University, if your child is overweight early in life, he is at risk of continuing his weight problems into adulthood. To prevent this from happening, talk frankly to him about his lifestyle and his weight. As much as possible, involve him in solving the problem. Even if he is young, taking part in planning meals and finding ways to be active teaches him responsibility.
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