What is obesity?
Obesity is an excessive amount of body weight in relation to a person’s height. In children over two years of age, this can be measured by calculating their Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is calculated from the child’s weight and height. It is a reliable indicator of body fat for most children and adolescents. BMI should be assessed at every well child exam. Once the BMI is defined, it can be plotted on a chart from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), BMI-for-Age Growth Chart for Boys/Girls, to obtain a percentile ranking. Children and adolescents with a BMI between 85% and 95% are considered overweight. Those with a BMI greater than 95% are considered obese.
Why is this important?
It is important to monitor BMI because it is the best way to measure obesity on a large scale. Children with elevated BMI levels are at risk for many health problems including: asthma, sleep apnea, skin infections, joint pain, hypertension (elevated blood pressure), high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. Research has also indicated that obese children have lower self-esteem and self-confidence that has been linked to poor academic performance, fewer friends and depression. For all these reasons, it is important to try and prevent childhood obesity and identify overweight and obese children quickly so they can begin lifestyle changes to maintain a healthy weight.
How big of a deal is it?
According to the CDC, approximately 17% of children and adolescents age two to 19 years old are obese. One in three children from low-income families is overweight or obese by their fifth birthday. Since 1980, obesity among children has almost tripled.
So what can we do?
Here are some easy changes that can be made at home to decrease obesity in your household:
- Eat five fruits or vegetables each day
- One hour of activity daily—does not have to be consecutive
- No more than two hours per day in front of the TV/computer/video games/phone
- Eat a healthy breakfast daily
- Limit pop to one can or glass a week
- Limit juice to one 6-8 oz. glass of 100% juice a day
- Fast food less than one time per week
- Limit sugar sweetened beverages
- Use only low fat dairy products
- Prepare food at home as a family and eat together at the table (without TV)
- Eat a diet rich in calcium and fiber
- Breastfeed exclusively until six months and maintain breastfeeding until 12 months of age
Choose one, two or three of these goals to work on as a family, once those have become routine, start on another goal to create a healthy lifestyle for the entire family.
Here are some frequently asked questions and links to resources:
Can you give me some meal suggestions that are tasty, convenient, and nutritious for my children?
http://www.aap.org/publiced/BR_WhatsToEat.htm
Feeding my child is very difficult. How can I make mealtimes less of a hassle?
http://www.aap.org/publiced/BR_FeedingKidsRight.htm
How do I know if my child is eating enough?
http://www.aap.org/publiced/BR_NutritionABC.htm
Resources:
http://www.aap.org/obesity/
http://www.aap.org/obesity/families_at_home.html?technology=1
This blog is presented by Megan Foley RN, CPNP. Please call Richland ProMed at 552-2500 to schedule an appointment to discuss obesity further with Megan Foley or one of the other providers.
