| Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity begins as early as 9 months from birth. It is considered a serious medical condition that can affect children and adolescents. Obesity happens when a child’s weight is above the normal numbers for his age and height. These extra pounds can predispose a child to several conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. Furthermore, childhood obesity can lead to low self-esteem and later on to depression.
How will I know if my child is obese?
If your child carries extra pounds, it does not mean that he is already obese. Some children have larger body frames. So you cannot actually tell just by looking at them. The best thing to do is to pay his pediatrician a visit. His doctor will calculate his body mass index (BMI). This will indicate if your child is overweight for his age and height.
His doctor will also make use of a growth chart. This can help determine your child’s percentile. In a more simple explanation, this is how your child compares to other kids of the same age and sex. For example, your child is on the 85th percentile, this means that compared to other kids his age and sex, 85 percent have lower body mass index.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) if a child’s BMI for age is between 85th and 94th percentiles, he is considered overweight. If it is between 95th percentiles and above, a child is considered obese.
Childhood obesity is often caused by eating too much and exercising less. Encourage healthy eating and regular exercise in your kids. Explain the importance of obesity prevention. Obesity can also be caused by genetic factors and hormonal imbalance.
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