Childhood Obesity
What is it?
Obesity is the state of being extremely overweight
according to standard growth charts.
Who gets it?
Obesity is one of the most common nutritional
problems in the United States. Both infants and
children can be obese. Infants with obese parents,
however, have an 80 percent chance of developing
obesity.
What causes it?
Obesity occurs when an infant or child takes in
more calories than the body can use. Obesity can
have many causes, ranging from diet and lifestyle
to, in rare cases, hormonal disorders. Causes
include overfeeding; providing only high calorie
beverages to satisfy thirst; using food to solve
problems, relieve stress, or as a reward; and not
providing enough opportunities for exercise.
Studies have also shown that children who struggle
over food when young tend to have more weight
problems when they are older. Other factors that
contribute to obesity include a family history of
obesity, abnormal eating patterns such as binge
eating, and the use of corticosterioid drugs.
What are the symptoms?
The symptom of obesity is being grossly overweight
according to standard growth charts. Complications
of obesity include heart disease, hypertension,
and some cancers.
How is it diagnosed?
At regular physical exams, your doctor will check
your child's height and weight and plot them on a
growth chart. A growth chart shows how your
child's growth compares to other children of the
same age and is plotted in percentiles. For
example, if an infant is in the 20th percentile
for weight on a growth chart, that means that 20
percent of infants weigh less than that child and
80 percent weigh more. Infants and toddlers
naturally have chubby bodies. However, an infant
or toddler is considered obese when his or her
weight gain is far out of proportion to his or her
growth in height. An overweight baby will look
fat, not just chubby. An older child is considered
obese when there is a drastic change in the growth
curve on the chart. For example, if your child has
been at the 30th percentile level and suddenly
jumps to the 75th over a six-month time period,
there is probably a weight problem. An
adolescent's height and weight are converted to
body mass index, which is weight in kilograms
divided by height in meters squared. An adolescent
is considered mildly obese when his or her body
mass index is higher than 27. The doctor will
recommend a treatment plan when the body mass
index is 30 or higher.
What is the treatment?
While a child is still growing, treatment for
obesity is to slow the rate of weight gain.
However, never reduce your child’s food intake to
promote weight loss without first consulting a
doctor. The most important treatment for obesity
is prevention through healthy eating habits. With
an infant, avoid overfeeding. According to the
American Academy of Pediatrics, breastfed newborns
should be nursed whenever they show signs of
hunger. Newborns should be nursed approximately 8
to 12 times every 24 hours, usually 10 to 15
minutes on each breast. If you are bottle feeding,
don't allow your child to have the bottle readily
available day and night. Most infants need to be
fed every two hours from birth to around two
months of age, then every three hours from two to
six months of age. By six months, most babies are
satisfied with three meals a day and two snacks.
Don't rush your infant at feeding times. It
generally takes 15 to 20 minutes for a baby to
feel comfortably full. If your baby stops feeding
before the bottle is empty, don't insist that he
or she finish it. Your baby knows how much he or
she needs. Solid foods can be introduced around
six months of age. Again, children on solid foods
will let you know when they are full, usually by
turning their heads away or holding their mouths
closed.
Children also should not receive sweets until
after 12 months. With a child of any age, it is
extremely important not to use food as a reward or
to control behavior. These children learn to use
food as a stress reliever. Balance and moderation
are important. Underfeeding a child is actually
more harmful than overfeeding. Teach your children
the basic food groups and provide the recommended
number of servings per day. It's been said many
times, but we'll say it again “breakfast is the
most important meal of the day.” Children who skip
breakfast have more difficulty performing in
school and tend to snack and eat heavier meals
later in the day. When your child does snack,
provide healthy snacks, such as fruits,
vegetables, and grains. Don't deprive your child
of all sweets, but provide them in moderation.
Children who feel deprived are more likely to
associate negative feelings with food and suffer
from eating disorders later in life. Follow your
doctor's recommendations for diet carefully.
Because your child is still growing, it is
important to make sure you provide the right
amounts of nutrients and calories for growth.
Obese adolescents usually benefit from the same
types of behavior modification programs used with
adults. This involves reducing the amount of
calories they take in by following a well-balanced
diet and making permanent changes to their eating
habits, combined with a regular program of
physical activity, such as bike riding, swimming,
or walking. Obese adolescents often have a poor
self-image and become isolated socially. These
children may also need counseling to help deal
with their problems.
Self-care tips
You can help your child avoid obesity by providing
the right kinds of foods in the right amounts. If
you're not sure of the guidelines for a healthy
diet, ask your doctor. He or she can give you
nutritional information that is appropriate for
your child's age. Also keep in mind that
chubbiness is normal at certain ages, and that
many children gain weight when going through a
normal growth spurt. Never change your child's
diet to promote weight loss without consulting
with your doctor.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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