Up to one out of every four New Yorkers under the age of 18 is obese, approximately 1.1 million youngsters according to the New York State Department of Health. As this number continues to grow so do weight related health and medical problems. Obese children are at increased risk of becoming overweight adults, placing them at higher risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. They are also more prone to adversely experience stress and develop poor self-esteem.
Measuring Obesity
Obesity is determined using a measurement called Body Mass Index (BMI). It is calculated using a child’s weight and height. BMI is a practical indicator of body fatness for most children and adolescents. Children’s body composition varies according to age and gender so a child’s weight status is determined using an age and sex specific percentile. Growth charts issued by the Center for Disease Control are used to determine the corresponding BMI-for-age and sex percentile. For children and adolescents ages 2 to 19, obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex.
Why?
Obesity in children can occur for a variety of reasons. The most common causes are lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns, genetic factors or a combination of the three. Obesity caused by a medical condition, such as a hormonal problem, is not as common. Childhood obesity is often the result of eating too many calories and not getting enough physical activity. Some of the causes that lead to this imbalance are increased portion sizes, greater availability of high calorie, dense foods and sugary drinks. Increasingly popularity in computers, video games and television also contribute to a lack of daily physical activity. Children need about 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
Family Habits
Be sure to consult with your pediatrician to determine if your youngster is at risk or is already obese and take the necessary measures needed to reverse this serious condition. As a child’s total diet and activity level play an important role in determining a child’s weight it is very important that healthy eating and physical activity habits become a family affair. The goal is not to make physical activity and eating a healthy diet a chore, but to make a healthy lifestyle fun for the whole family!
Marlene Carneiro is a registered dietician at Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville.
Tips For Parents
- Talk to your child about their weight and allow them to share concerns with you.
- Let your child know you are, and will always be, supportive.
- Involve the entire family in adopting healthful habits so you do not single out the obese child.
- Increase the family’s physical activity such as walking or biking.
- Reduce your child’s, and the entire family’s, computer, television and video game time.
- Serve more fruits and vegetables.
- Buy fewer sodas and high-calorie, high fat foods.
