Many parents do not recognize that their child has
a problem until they are already overweight. In one survey, 49 percent of
parents believed their kids were of average size, but those same kids were
actually classified as overweight. They might also be unsure of how to broach
this sensitive topic, so they procrastinate when it comes to talking about it.
It might take the intervention of a paediatrician for parents to face the
problem and get help.
a problem until they are already overweight. In one survey, 49 percent of
parents believed their kids were of average size, but those same kids were
actually classified as overweight. They might also be unsure of how to broach
this sensitive topic, so they procrastinate when it comes to talking about it.
It might take the intervention of a paediatrician for parents to face the
problem and get help.
At your child’s annual visit to the paediatrician,
the doctor will track his/her growth via height and weight; The Centres for
Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends that children age two and
up have their body mass index (BMI) calculated and plotted on a growth chart, to
see how he/she compares with other children of the same sex and age. For
example, if you are told your child’s BMI is in the 80th percentile, that means
that, compared with other children of the same sex and age, 80 percent have a
lower BMI. These numbers provide the pediatrician with a snapshot of your
child’s growth trajectory and can alert him or her to potential weight
problems. A BMI of 85th to under 95th percentile for age
and sex indicate your child may have a weight problem. 95th
percentile and up indicates obesity.
the doctor will track his/her growth via height and weight; The Centres for
Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends that children age two and
up have their body mass index (BMI) calculated and plotted on a growth chart, to
see how he/she compares with other children of the same sex and age. For
example, if you are told your child’s BMI is in the 80th percentile, that means
that, compared with other children of the same sex and age, 80 percent have a
lower BMI. These numbers provide the pediatrician with a snapshot of your
child’s growth trajectory and can alert him or her to potential weight
problems. A BMI of 85th to under 95th percentile for age
and sex indicate your child may have a weight problem. 95th
percentile and up indicates obesity.
By
the time a child is already overweight or obese, he/she may be suffering from
weight-related conditions like type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and knee or hip
pain. High cholesterol, abnormal liver enzymes, asthma, skin conditions and headache
are other possible symptoms. Research also shows that overweight children
have lower self-esteem than their thinner peers, and may face teasing and
discrimination at school. Ideally, a weight problem can be caught before the
condition progresses to this point, which is why early detection is essential.
the time a child is already overweight or obese, he/she may be suffering from
weight-related conditions like type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and knee or hip
pain. High cholesterol, abnormal liver enzymes, asthma, skin conditions and headache
are other possible symptoms. Research also shows that overweight children
have lower self-esteem than their thinner peers, and may face teasing and
discrimination at school. Ideally, a weight problem can be caught before the
condition progresses to this point, which is why early detection is essential.
(Family Health Guide, 2008).
References
Family Health Guide
(2008). “Childhood Obesity Treatment”. Retrieved Feb.,
25th, 2014.
(2008). “Childhood Obesity Treatment”. Retrieved Feb.,
25th, 2014.
http://www.parenting.com/health-guide/childhood-obesity/treatment
