by Holley Nash, RDN, LD
It is important for parents to understand both what qualifies as obesity in children, and what the long-term health consequences are for children with obesity. The reality is that most Americans have become so acclimated to the sight of overweight and obese children, that many adults consider healthy weight children “skinny.” This attitude interferes with many parents’ ability to accurately determine if their children are gaining too much weight. Consequently, parents are often unprepared and stunned when the pediatrician tells them that their child is overweight or obese.
Obesity is measured using the ratio of a person’s weight to their height, and for children that number is plotted on a growth chart. A child or teen who falls between the 85th and 95th percentile on the growth chart is considered overweight, and those who fall in the 95th percentile or above have obesity. According to the latest figures published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this is the case for approximately 18.5% or 13.7 million American children between the ages of 2 and 19.
Why is this important? Because childhood overweight and obesity come with serious short- and long-term consequences for children’s physical and mental health.
Children with obesity have three times more healthcare expenditures than children at healthy weights, costing an estimated $14 billion every year. This is due to an array of negative health consequences linked to their condition:
Children with obesity are more likely to suffer chronic diseases and cardiovascular conditions that used to be seen only in adults:
Furthermore, children who have obesity are far more likely to have obesity as adults, which puts them at a much higher risk for life-threatening diseases including stroke, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and some cancers.
The good news is that children are very resilient and are still growing, so there is a lot you can do to turn the tide! The first and most important thing is to find professional help. Have your pediatrician refer your child to a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who specializes in pediatrics, or find one through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or contact us here at TD Wellness. Your child’s dietitian will help guide you in making small steps toward lasting lifestyle change and develop a balanced eating plan for your entire family.
With proper lifestyle changes, support from a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and your child’s continued growth, reaching a healthy weight should be a very attainable goal. The best part is that the journey to better health is one that your entire family can share and be proud of for many years to come. Please contact us for a full evaluation.
References:
Hales, C. M., Carroll, M. D., Frayer, C. D., & Ogden, C. L. (2018, August 13). Childhood obesity facts [Fact sheet]. Retrieved February 26, 2019, from https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html
Obesity Society. (2014, May). Childhood overweight. Retrieved February 26, 2019, from The Obesity Society website: http://tosconnect.obesity.org/obesity/resources/facts-about-obesity/childhood-overweight
Partnership for a healthier America. (2017). Facts about childhood obesity. Retrieved February 25, 2019, from https://www.ahealthieramerica.org/articles/facts-about-childhood-obesity-102