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Helping Your Child Who Is Overweight

Table of Contents


Overview

How do you know if your child is overweight?

Doctors use the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts or the body mass index (BMI) to measure a child's weight compared to their height.

If you are concerned that your child is—or could become—overweight, talk about this with your child's doctor. The doctor may:

What changes might your doctor recommend?

If your child is overweight, your doctor may recommend that you make changes in your family's eating and exercise habits. A child who weighs too much may develop serious health problems. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. Eating healthy foods and getting more exercise can help your child have better health. It can also give them more energy so that they can do better at school and enjoy more activities.

It may help to know that you don't have to make huge changes at once. Weight-loss diets aren't recommended for most children. Instead, start making small changes in eating habits and exercise as a family. Helping your child be more active can help them stay at a weight that is healthy for them.

If you have questions about how to make changes to your family's eating habits, ask your doctor about seeing a registered dietitian. A dietitian can help you and your child develop healthier eating habits.

What are some ways you can help your child?

How can you help with social and emotional concerns?

Children who are overweight are at risk of having low self-esteem and depression.1 You can help your child have greater confidence, health, and self-esteem.


References

Citations

  1. Pont SJ, et al. (2017). Stigma experienced by children and adolescents with obesity. Pediatrics, 140(6): e20173034. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2017-3034. Accessed November 2, 2023.
  2. Hampl SE, et al. (2023). Clinical practice guideline for the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with obesity. Pediatrics, 151(2): e2022060640. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-060640. Accessed March 15, 2023.

Credits for Helping Your Child Who Is Overweight

Current as of: May 13, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.


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