Is my child obese?
BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measure of body fat (based on weight in relation to height). Children with a BMI between 85th and 94th percentile (same age and sex) are overweight, while ones with BMI at or above the 95th percentile are obese.
Go to https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/bmi/calculator.html to calculate your child’s BMI by entering height and weight.
Childhood obesity may be harmful to children in several ways.
Obese children are:
- more prone to being teased by others and may have a lower sense of self-worth. This may lead to higher rates of loneliness, sadness and nervousness.
- more likely to smoke and use alcohol.
- at higher risk of developing health problems like high blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol, sleep apnea, and asthma
- more likely to be obese as adults.
- more likely to develop chronic health problems like hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke and kidney problems as young adults.
What causes obesity?
There has been a 10-fold increase in childhood obesity over the past 20 years (especially children aged 2-5 years). Studies show that 3.6 to 11.7% of Indian children are obese. By 2025 it is predicted that there will be 17 million obese children in India. So, why is this happening? This increase is a result of changes in lifestyle leading to:
Unhealthy diet
Children are eating more junk food and drinking sugary drinks. Families are going out to restaurants and eating more take-out food, resulting in the consumption of more preservatives and unhealthy food.
Less physical activity
Children are spending more time watching TV, playing video games and using the computer and smart phone. They are also spending less time playing outside and engaging in sports. Families too are preferring movie nights to going hiking or taking up outdoor activities. All this is resulting in a sedentary lifestyle.
Some children may be more prone to gaining weight, but by eating right and being active, they can maintain a healthy weight.
How can I prevent my child from becoming overweight / obese?
- Cook healthy dishes that your child likes.
- Try not to keep junk food at home. Identify healthy snacks (fruits, vegetables, nuts) for your child to eat if hungry between meals.
- If the child has the occasional chips or cookies, teach him / her to limit the quantity.
- Encourage eating smaller portions of food if you feel that the child is gaining weight.
- It is important for your child to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, rather than sugary drinks like soda and cool drinks.
- Limit the time your child spends on television, computer and smartphone.
- Encourage your child to be physically active.
- Please refer to:
- Encouraging your child to eat a balanced diet
- Is my child’s physical activity appropriate?
If your child is obese, it is not safe to put him / her on a diet without medical guidance. Schedule an appointment with Amara Hospital to take advantage of our Childhood Obesity Services.
Is my child obese?
BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measure of body fat (based on weight in relation to height). Children with a BMI between 85th and 94th percentile (same age and sex) are overweight, while ones with BMI at or above the 95th percentile are obese.
Go to https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/bmi/calculator.html to calculate your child’s BMI by entering height and weight.
