Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

Obesity in Children

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: March 2002
Last Revision Date: April 2002

• What is obesity?
• What causes it?
• What problems can it cause?
• How can I tell if my child is obese?
• How is it treated?
• How long does it last?
• Can it be prevented?
• When should I call the doctor?

What is obesity?

• Obesity is defined as too much body fat.
• An obese child has more fat than she needs for her height.

What causes it?

• Obesity often runs in families. Parents who are obese are more likely to have children who are obese.
• Obesity is often caused by genetics but also by an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity.
• Some cases of obesity are caused by medical conditions or medication.

What problems can it cause?

• Obesity can lead to asthma and sleep apnea.
• It can also lead to heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and cancer.
• Obese children may be rejected and teased at school.
• Obese children are at high risk for depression.

How can I tell if my child is obese?

• You should take your child to the doctor for regular check-ups. The doctor will measure her height and weight to make sure she is growing at a normal rate.
• If weight gain is above average, the doctor will try to find out why.

How is it treated?
Changes in diet, exercise, and lifestyle can help. Praise your child for each small success.

Diet

• Do not put your child on a diet but help her replace unhealthy food with healthy foods.
• Diets are short-term (last for a short time to try to lose weight). Eating healthy should be a life-long goal.
• Teach your child to chew slowly and enjoy her food.
• Make mealtime an enjoyable family time with no TV, radio, etc.
• Slow meal times down so your child has time to realize when she is full.
• Do not force your child to "clean her plate."
• Serve meals at regular times.
• Avoid keeping extra food on the table. Serve your child an appropriate portion on her plate. A portion is about the size of the person's palm on their hand.
• Prepare healthy foods that are high in nutrients but low in calories.
• Avoid fatty, greasy food and sweets.
• Avoid drinking too much soda, fruit drinks, and chocolate milk. These drinks are high in calories. Water is best to quench thirst.
• If your child is over 2 years old, use skim milk or low-fat milk.
• Limit high calorie foods and treats. Store them out of sight to decrease temptation.
• Keep healthy snacks around the house. Avoid buying high-fat snacks, such as chips, cookies, etc.
• Don't use food as a punishment or reward. Don't offer, "You can have dessert if you eat all of your vegetables."
• Talk to other people (such as daycare staff) about trying to keep your child's diet healthy.
• Never put a child on a diet without talking to your doctor first.
• A dietician is a special health provider who can give you helpful nutrition tips.

Exercise

• Make exercise a fun activity for the whole family.
• Exercise improves coordination and helps kids express themselves.
• Show your child many kinds of physical activities, such as walking, swimming, dancing, biking, and running.
• Focus on having fun and feeling stronger, not on losing weight.
• Use the stairs instead of the elevator.
• If it is safe, have your child walk down the street to a friend's house instead of giving her a ride.
• Doctors recommend at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day.

Lifestyle

• Limit TV time and computer time. Encourage your child to do something more active, such as playing catch or helping around the house.
• Eat at the table. Avoid eating in front of the TV.
• Limit the amount of time your child is allowed to play video games.
• Discourage talk about weight. Focusing too much on weight can lead to other problems, such as not eating enough.
• Do not allow teasing or use of nicknames that have to do with weight.
• Obese children are at high risk for depression. Help them find activities and hobbies they enjoy doing and are good at.
• Teach your child healthy ways to deal with stress. Some children turn to food for comfort.

These changes may be hard for children. If they resist, don't force them or scold them. Encourage them and join in! All of these changes work best if the whole family takes part. Children are more likely to adapt to the changes if the rest of the family does, too. Each little change is a small step toward success.

How long does it last?

• Obese children can often get better by making changes in their diet, exercise, and lifestyle.
• A few children will out-grow their obesity. They may get taller without gaining much more weight.
• Other children may be obese into adolescence and adulthood.
• Obese children are at high risk of becoming obese adults.

Can it be prevented?

• Sometimes obesity can be prevented.
• Parents can raise their children to have healthy habits before obesity becomes a problem.
• Be an active family. Take walks or do yard work together instead of watching TV.
• Serve your children healthy meals. Avoid eating too much fast food or quick, high-calorie meals (such as TV dinners).
• Teach your children to take pride in their bodies and in their health.

When should I call the doctor?

• Call your doctor if your child has gained a great amount of weight in a short time. Weight gain may be the sign of a problem besides obesity.
• Call your doctor to learn more about nutrition and exercise.
• Call your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your child.

Quick Answers

• Obesity is defined as too much body fat.
• Obesity often runs in families or can be the result of poor diet and little exercise.
• Obesity can lead to asthma, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
• Take your child to the doctor for regular check-ups. The doctor will measure her height and weight to make sure she is growing at a normal rate.
• Doctors usually recommend that obese children begin eating healthier and exercising more.
• Obese children are at high risk of becoming obese adults.
• Families can help prevent obesity by leading a healthy and active lifestyle.
• Call your doctor if your child has gained a great amount of weight in a short time.

References

• Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Parents' Guide to Children's Eating Problems. Iowa Health Book. (cited 2002 February 12). URL: http://www.vh.org/Patients/IHB/Peds/Diet/EatingGuide.html#4
• MayoClinic. Childhood Obesity: A Big Problem. 2002 February 8 (cited 2002 February 12). URL: http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=FL00057
• NIH Publications. Helping Your Overweight Child. NIDDK. 1997 January (cited 2002 February 12). URL: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/pubs/helpchld.htm
• Rutherford, K. Your Child's Weight. KidsHealth. 2001 September (cited 2002 February 12). URL: http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/childs_weight.html

See related Patient Topics Child and Teen Health, Food, Nutrition and Metabolism, Obesity, Teen Health or Weight Loss/Dieting.

See related Provider Topics Child and Teen Health, Food, Nutrition and Metabolism, Obesity or Teen Health.

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