The conversation about possible risk factors related to childhood obesity has evolved significantly over the past several decades, owing in no small part to the near-constant barrage of scientific studies and generally discouraging news about rising rates of obesity in the U.S. Since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began tracking weight in the 1960s, the rate of childhood obesity has nearly quadrupled. Current estimates are that about 17 percent of American children and adolescents — or 13 million, ages 2 to 19 years — are considered to be obese.
Most pediatricians now track weight using the body mass index, or BMI, measurement. A mathematical formula based on an individual’s height, weight, sex and age, BMI estimates the proportion of a person’s body fat in comparison to lean body mass, or muscle. The use of BMI has garnered a significant amount of attention in the medical community, as demonstrated by its incorporation into the traditional pediatric growth chart that most parents are accustomed to seeing when visiting their doctor’s office.
When used in the pediatric and teenage population, BMI measurements are often referred to as BMI-for-age. The measure is specific to sex as well, and it’s frequently reported as BMI-percentile. Individuals with a BMI percentile above the 85 th percentile are considered overweight. Those with a BMI percentile at or above the 95 th percentile are considered to be obese. And children in the 99th percentile or higher for BMI are considered severely obese.
Having a child categorized as overweight, obese or severely obese can certainly be concerning news for parents and kids alike. But the discussion shouldn’t stop at weight, since excess body fat raises the risk of developing a number of serious health conditions. A number of current studies show that the heavier the child, the greater his or her risk is for developing health issues, such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, liver disease and kidney problems.
The obvious next question is at what age should a child’s weight become a concern for parents? Many parents consider a heavy child as having baby fat and reassure themselves in thinking that their overweight or obese child will simply outgrow it, but the reality is quite the opposite. In a 2014 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers evaluated changes in the rates of obesity in more than 7,000 children between the time they entered kindergarten and advanced to middle school age. The results showed that being obese during kindergarten increased the likelihood of being obese during middle school. In addition, previous research has found that children suffering from obesity, and in particular severe obesity, are more likely than their non-obese counterparts to be obese as adults.
While there continues to be a lot of debate regarding the specific factors that cause obesity early in life, parents should avoid the temptation to overreact and instead adopt healthy, common sense recommendations to keep kids at a healthy weight. Helpful tips include avoiding lots of sugary beverages — yes, even the daily dose of orange juice — and processed snack foods, while trying to incorporate a healthy dose of physical activity.
Establishing and maintaining a healthy weight can be a challenge, even for the very young. But recognizing that kids as young as age 5 are potentially vulnerable and using common sense strategies can help to reduce the chances children will become obese — and, in turn, reduce the likelihood of adult obesity.
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When Should Parents Worry About Their Child’s Weight Gain? originally appeared on usnews.com