Child behavior

Pediatric obesity

A hefty child used to mean a healthy well-fed child. However, pediatric obesity is increasing at an alarming rate making it a major concern for today's youth. It is estimated that 15 percent of children, ages 6- to 18-years-old, are considered obese.

In addition to the extra pounds, these children are also at increased risk of developing high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. They are more likely to develop such conditions as sleep apnea, asthma and orthopedic complications. It is also likely that overweight children will become overweight adults. The probability of childhood obesity continuing into adulthood is estimated to increase from approximately 20 percent at age four to approximately 80 percent by the teen years.

• YNHH Health Library: Obesity

How to calculate obesity?
Body mass index (BMI), a ratio of weight (in kilograms) divided by height (in meters squared), is used to define overweight and obesity. The following tables can be used to calculate a child's BMI and then to evaluate the child's BMI for his or her age.

• BMI calculation (Excel file, 47.5 KB)
• BMI evaluation (Excel File, 20.5 KB)

What causes obesity?
The causes of pediatric obesity differ from child to child and are still not fully understood. They include factors such as genetics, environment and behavior. It has been shown that children with obese parents are more likely to be obese. Many experts believe that this is a leading cause. Regardless of how big a role genetics plays, one thing remains very clear—parents are responsible for a child's genes, diet and behavioral patterns.

What you should do
The goal for obese children should be to maintain weight or reduce the rate of gain. While there are many causes of obesity, excessive calorie consumption and lack of physical activity are two of the major culprits and controllable risk factors. Parents should take a proactive role by asking their health care provider to monitor their child's BMI annually.

At home, remember that caregivers are a child's best role model. If you're staying active and eating a balanced diet, your children are more likely to follow your lead. Here are some tips on how to influence your child's lifestyle:

• Keep healthier foods in the house, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low fat dairy foods, so they begin to consider it "the norm."
• Encourage moderation of portion sizes and set limits on how much high fat and high sugar foods are eaten each day.
• Teach moderation and limit fast food meals to no more than a couple of times a month.
• Limit television and video time to no more than two hours a day and encourage activities like bike riding, playing outdoors and participating in sports.

Your actions can help your child develop healthy eating and exercise habits that will last a lifetime.

Additional online resources

• Ask the Expert: Nutrition Forum, Yale-New Haven Hospital
• Obesity—it's not just for grown ups anymore, Yale-New Haven Nutrition Advisor
• Nutrition for healthy living, Yale-New Haven Hospital
• Diabetes on the rise among children, Yale-New Haven He@lthLINK, May 2000
• Pediatric obesity and Type 2 diabetes forum survey, Department of Community Health, Yale-New Haven Hospital, January 2004 (PowerPoint file, 1.83 MB)

Reviewed: Lisa Tartamella-Kimmel, RD and Ellen Liskov, RD
Last revised: Jan. 8, 2008 (dh)

Home page URL: http://www.ynhh.org

All information is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.