Questions about Childhood Overweight and Obesity Answered

It seems like everywhere you look these days (magazines, television shows, the internet) the issue of childhood overweight and obesity is a hot topic.   With Michelle Obama joining in with her Let’s Move initiative, the issue has never been more popular.  Statistics tell us that 31.9% of kids and teens are overweight, while 16.3% are obese.  These numbers seem to be growing every year.  

As a Pediatric Dietitian at the Center for Family Health in Jackson, MI, I answer many questions about the issue of childhood overweight and obesity on a daily basis.  Some of these questions include:

• “Why has my child been diagnosed as overweight or obese?” 
• “Is childhood overweight or obesity really that big of a deal?”
• “What can I do to prevent or treat childhood overweight or obesity?”

In an effort to clear up some confusion for parents, I’d like to answer these questions.

Question 1:  “Why has my child been diagnosed as overweight or obese?”

Children are diagnosed as overweight or obese based on a calculation that considers many factors including a child’s height, weight, sex, and age.  This calculation is called Body Mass Index or BMI.  This BMI number is then plotted on a chart and the ranking is used to classify kids as either underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese.  Your child’s pediatrician or doctor is the best person to decide if your child is overweight or obese and what, if any, treatment is needed.

Question 2:  “Is childhood overweight or obesity really that big of a deal?”

Yes.  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children who are overweight or obese are at a greater risk for many health problems including asthma, sleep apnea, skin infections, joint pain, high blood pressure, and Type II Diabetes.  Overweight or obese kids are also more likely to be teased which may lead to low self-esteem and poor school performance.  Plus, overweight and obese children are more likely to become overweight or obese adults.  The longer a person is overweight or obese, the more likely they are to experience health problems. 

Some people may argue that every child grows differently, and that no two people are shaped the same.  This is very true.  All kids grow and develop at a different pace, and some people are just naturally smaller or bigger than others.  Your child’s pediatrician or doctor can help you understand whether or not your child is growing at a normal pace.   

Question 3:  “What can I do to prevent or treat childhood overweight or obesity?”

There are lots of things that you can do as a parent to help your child be healthy or get healthier.  Below are a few tips that can help you and your family get on the right track.

• Make some healthy changes to your diet.  A few examples include:
• Offer a fruit, vegetable or both with every meal and snack.  This doesn’t have to be expensive.  Try buying fruits and vegetables when they are in season and least expensive.  Canned fruits (packed in water or light syrup) and vegetables are inexpensive and nutritious anytime of the year.  Check out the new MyPlate guidelines found at www.choosemyplate.org which promotes covering ½ of your plate with a vegetable or fruit. 
• Switch from white bread to 100% whole wheat bread to increase fiber and nutrients.
• Buy low-fat milk (1%, ½%, or skim) instead of whole or 2% milk to cut artery clogging saturated fat and calories without sacrificing calcium, protein, and Vitamin D.  Healthy children over the age of 2 can drink low-fat milk. 
• Offer water, low-fat milk, and small amounts of 100% fruit juice instead of sugary drinks.  One, 12 oz can of soda contains about 10 ½ teaspoons of sugar and up to 150 calories!  Even 100% fruit juice can lead to weight gain if kids drink too much, so most experts recommend that kids not drink more than about ½ cup of juice daily.  Remember, a lot of drinks such as Kool-Aid and Capri Sun may look like juice but are actually just colored, sugar water with added Vitamin C. 
• Be a good role model.  Buy healthy foods and eat them yourself.  Your child is much more likely to eat healthy if you lead by example.

• Make family meals a priority.  Research has shown that kids who eat meals with their families tend to eat healthier, maintain a healthier weight, and do better in school.
• Limit screen time (TV, computers, video games etc…) to no more than 2 hours a day.
• Encourage your kids to play actively for at least 1 hour everyday and make it fun.  Some ideas…dancing, riding bike, hula hooping, jump roping. 
• Check out the website www.kidseatright.org sponsored by the American Dietetic Association for more great information on how to feed kids healthy. 

 Of course, these are only a few ideas for helping you to create a healthier family, but hopefully, they’ll set your kids on the road to lifelong health.   If you have any additional questions about the topic of childhood overweight and obesity, I encourage you to talk with your child’s pediatrician or doctor and a registered dietitian.

-Becky Jermeay, MA, RD

Center for Family Health