If a child is overweight or obese, they have an increased risk of developing various health problems. Children are also more likely to become overweight or obese as an adult. If overweight as well as obesity is treated in childhood then some of these health problems can be reversed or prevented. The main way to treat a child who is overweight or obese is to look at changes that can be made to their lifestyle. Such changes can be carried out at home or professionals can aid this, examples of changes would be eating more healthily and doing plenty of physical exercise.
Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals can look to see whether your child is overweight or obese by calculating their body mass index (BMI). BMI is a measurement of a child’s weight in relation to their height. BMI is calculated by dividing the child’s weight in kg by their height in metres squared. It is important to realise that a child’s BMI is not interpreted in the same way as an adult’s BMI. A child’s BMI is charted on special growth charts which show the child’s BMI compared to the normal range for children of a similar age and sex. A doctor, nurse or healthcare professional can check a child’s BMI against the standardised charts to determine whether or not the child is overweight or obese.
As a parent or guardian if you are worried about a child being overweight or obese, it can be discussed with a Doctor, practice nurse or other healthcare professional that are trusted. They can suggest ways in which they can help the child or they can refer the child to other professionals who may be able to help. There are specific schemes or services within certain areas which are specially set up to help prevent or manage overweight and obese children. An example of this is a healthy living programme. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines has recommended lifestyle-based weight management programmes developing across countries. These services would offer both advice and help using multiple strategies. Children who are seriously overweight may be referred by their doctor to a special clinic at a hospital. These clinics have a team of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who are experts in dealing with overweight and obesity in children. However, many overweight children do not need to be referred for specialist care.
Childhood Obesity 