As a parent, you are aware of the dangers of childhood obesity. You model healthy choices for your children, including a proper diet and regular exercise. However, you might be wondering if you can do more. Understanding obesity in children and knowing how to enhance your family's lifestyle can result in healthier and happier children.
Identification
Childhood obesity is a medical condition affecting children and adolescents based on their body mass index or BMI. The BMI is a calculation to determine if your child is overweight for her age and height. Your family doctor can determine how your child compares with other children who are the same sex and height. For example, if your child falls within the 80th percentile, this means that 80 percent of children who are your child's age and sex have a lower BMI than your child has. Children who have a BMI between the 85th and 94th percentiles are considered overweight. Children who have a BMI ranking in the 95th percentile or above are obese. BMI does not take into consideration how much muscle your child has or if she has a larger-than-average body size. Your doctor will review your child's growth and development when evaluating her BMI.
The Facts
Many risk factors can contribute to obesity and work in combination to increase the chances of your child's becoming overweight. Consuming high-calorie and processed foods such as fast foods, baked goods, snacks from vending machines, soft drinks, candy and desserts can cause your child to gain weight. These foods are high in sugar, fat and calories. Children who are not physically active also are at an increased risk for weight gain because they do not burn calories through exercise. Your family history is also important. If your family is overweight, your child is more likely to be in an environment where calorie-dense food is readily available and physical activity is not encouraged.
Considerations
Children who suffer from obesity face serious physical and psychological health issues. Obese children are at risk for adult diseases such as hypertension, high blood pressure, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Obese children are also at higher risk for bone and joint problems, as well as liver and gall bladder disease. Obese children might experience shortness of breath that makes exercise, sports and physical activities difficult. Shortness of breath also can aggravate and increase the chances of asthma. Obese children might be more likely than children of average weight to develop eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Children suffering from obesity are also more prone to depression and substance abuse.
Prevention/Solution
Preventing and treating obesity is a family endeavor, and it might be necessary to change how your family relates to food. You also might need to alter how you choose and prepare your family's meals. Avoid using sweets and treats as rewards. Avoid a clean-plate policy. Be aware of children's hunger cues; if children are satisfied and no longer hungry, do not force them to eat more. Avoid discussions about bad foods, and do not eliminate all sweets and favorite snacks from children's diets. Children could rebel and overeat forbidden foods when away from home. Offer children milk and water, which are healthy beverage choices. Include children when food shopping. Peruse the produce aisles, which provide children with examples of nourishing and healthy food.
Function
Parents play a critical role in the prevention and treatment of obesity. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends permitting one hour of looking at a television or computer screen a day. Televisions, computers and game consoles should be in common areas of the house rather than in a child's bedroom. You also should buy your children outdoor toys that encourage activity. Avoid purchasing battery-powered riding toys and video games.
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