One out of every five children in the U. S. is overweight, and this
number is continuing to grow. Children have fewer weight-related
health and medical problems than adults, however, overweight children
are at high risk of becoming overweight adolescents and adults,
placing them at risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart
disease and diabetes later in life.

What Causes Obesity in Children?

Children become overweight for a variety of reasons. The most common
causes are genetic factors, lack of physical activity, unhealthy
eating patterns, or a combination of these factors. Only in rare cases
is being overweight caused by a medical condition such as a hormonal
problem. A physical exam and some blood tests can rule out the
possibility of a medical condition.

Although weight problems run in families, not all children with a
family history of obesity will be overweight. Children whose parents
or brothers or sisters are overweight may be at an increased risk of
becoming overweight themselves, but this can be link to shared family
behaviors such as eating and activity habits.

A child's total diet and activity level play an important role in
determining a child's weight. Today, many children spend a lot time
being inactive. For example, the average child spends approximately
24 hours each week watching television. As computers and video games
become increasingly popular, the number of hours of inactivity may
only increase.

What Disease Are Obese Children at Risk For?

Obese children are at risk for a number of conditions, including:

High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Early heart disease
Diabetes
Bone problems
Skin conditions such as heat rash, fungal infections and acne
How Do I Know if My Child Is Overweight?

The best person to determine whether or not your child is overweight
is your child's doctor. In determining whether or not your child is
overweight, the doctor will measure your child's weight and height.
The doctor will also consider your child's age and growth patterns.
Assessing obesity in children can be difficult because children can
grow in unpredictable spurts. For example, it is not unusual for boys
to appear overweight, but they may grow taller and thus " grow into
the weight" a few years later.

How Can I Help My Overweight Child?

If your child is overweight, it is very important that you allow him
or her to know that you will be supportive. Children's feelings about
themselves often are based on their parents' feelings about them and
if you accept your children at any weight, they will be more likely to
feel good about themselves. It is also important to talk to your
children about their weight, allowing them to share their concerns
with you.

It is not recommended that parents set children apart because of
their weight. Instead, parents should focus on gradually changing
their family's physical activity and eating habits. By involving the
entire family, everyone is taught healthful habits and the overweight
child does not feel singled out.

How Can I Involve My Family in Healthful Habits?

There are many ways to involve the entire family in healthy habits,
but increasing the family's physical activity is especially important.
Some ways to accomplish this include:

Lead by example. If your children see that you are physically active
and having fun, they are more likely to be active and stay active for
the rest of their lives.
Plan family activities that provide everyone with exercise, like
walking, biking, or swimming.
Be sensitive to your child's needs. Overweight children may feel
uncomfortable about participating in certain activities. It is
important to help your child find physical activities that they enjoy
and that aren't embarrassing or too difficult.
Make an effort to reduce the amount of time you and your family spend
in sedentary activities, such as watching TV or playing video games.
Whatever approach parents choose to take, the purpose is not to make
physical activity and following a healthy diet a chore, but to make
the most of the opportunities you and your family have to be active
and healthy.

Next: Preventing Obesity in Kids >

Reviewed by The Cleveland Clinic Department of Nutritional Therapy.

Edited by Charlotte E. Grayson, MD, March 2002.

Copyright ©2002 content, The Cleveland Clinic. The information
provided by The Cleveland Clinic is not intended to replace the
medical advice of your doctor or health-care provider. Please
consult your health-care provider for advice about a specific
medical condition. For additional health information, please contact
the Health Information Center at The Cleveland Clinic, (216) 444-3771
or toll-free (800) 223-2273, Ext. 43771.