{"id":20688,"date":"2023-07-07T13:34:16","date_gmt":"2023-07-07T18:34:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/?p=20688"},"modified":"2023-09-07T17:36:47","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T22:36:47","slug":"tackling-childhood-obesity-a-guide-for-families","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/tackling-childhood-obesity-a-guide-for-families\/","title":{"rendered":"Tackling Childhood Obesity: A Guide for Families"},"content":{"rendered":"

Childhood obesity affects not only the child but the community as a whole. <\/span>Since 1990<\/span><\/a>, it has been a growing problem in the United States, and it affected over <\/span>1.4 million children from 2017 to 2020<\/span><\/a>. From type 2 diabetes to depression, it can have a severe impact on children that they can carry into adulthood. Due to these adverse consequences, prevention and treatment must be prioritized to ensure children have a promising future.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, there are ways to combat this disease before it can affect your child’s future. This article discusses the causes, prevention tips and treatments for childhood obesity.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is considered obese in pediatrics?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Childhood obesity is often measured and defined using BMI or body mass index. Those <\/span>above the 95th percentile for age and sex<\/span><\/a> may be considered obese. Let’s dive deeper into how BMI can help assess your child’s wellness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding BMI<\/span><\/p>\n

You may have listened to your doctor discuss BMI when analyzing your child’s health. It’s one way to determine if their weight is a normal range for their height. But, like any tool, its limitations may change the health evaluation results.<\/span><\/p>\n

BMI is a calculation that factors in height and weight but does not consider body fat percentage or muscle mass. To get the whole picture, it is crucial to <\/span>speak with a pediatrician<\/span><\/a> if you are concerned about your child’s weight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Different populations and ethnicities can have varying BMI norms. So, it’s also important to consult <\/span>growth charts and guidelines<\/span><\/a> specific to your child’s region. A knowledgeable healthcare provider can give accurate diagnoses and assessments to cater to your child’s unique situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Decoding BMI percentiles<\/span><\/p>\n

To further <\/span>understand your child’s BMI<\/span><\/a>, it is crucial to look at the percentiles.<\/span><\/p>\n