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Is Your Child Overweight?
Body mass index (BMI) uses height and weight measurements to estimate body
fat [utilize a calculator at
KidsHealth.org]. Kids ages 2 to 19 fall into one of four
categories: underweight (below 5
th
percentile), normal weight (5
th
to 84
th
percentile),
overweight (85
th
to 94
th
percentile), and obese (95
th
and above percentile). For kids
younger than 2, doctors use weight-for-length charts to determine how a baby’s
weight compares with his length.
BMI is not a perfect measure of body fat and can be misleading in
some situations. For example, a muscular person may have a high
BMI without being overweight (extra muscle adds body weight,
but not fat). Also, BMI might be difficult to interpret
during puberty when kids are experiencing periods of
rapid growth. BMI is usually a good indicator —
but not a direct measurement — of body fat.
If you’re worried that your child may be
overweight, make an appointment with his
pediatrician who can assess lifestyle habits,
make suggestions for positive changes, and
screen for medical conditions that can be
associated with obesity.
Depending on your child’s BMI (or
weight-for-length measurement), age, and
health, the doctor may refer you to a registered
dietitian and, possibly, recommend a comprehensive
weight management program.
The Effects of Obesity
Obesity increases the risk for serious health conditions (once
considered exclusively adult diseases) which affect present and future
health and quality of life, including:
•
High blood pressure, high cholesterol and abnormal blood lipid levels,
insulin resistance, and Type 2 diabetes
•
Bone and joint problems
•
Shortness of breath that makes exercise, sports, or any physical activity
more difficult and may aggravate the symptoms or increase the chances of
developing asthma
•
Restless or disordered sleep patterns, such as obstructive sleep apnea
•
Tendency to mature earlier (overweight kids may be taller and more
sexually mature than their peers, raising expectations that they should
act as old as they look, not as old as they are; overweight girls may have
irregular menstrual cycles and fertility problems in adulthood)
•
Liver and gallbladder disease
Helping Your
O
v
e
r
we
i
g
h
t
Child
T
he percentage of overweight children in the U.S. is growing at an alarming rate,
with 1-in-3 kids now considered overweight or obese. From fast food to electronics,
quick and easy is the new normal for many people; and preventing your kids
from becoming overweight might mean changing the way your family eats, exercises, and
spends time together. Helping kids adopt healthy lifestyles begins with parents who lead by
example.
Continued on page 20
Health
&WELLNESS
ORLANDO FAMILY MAGAZINE
FEBRUARY 2016
18