How to Recognize Signs of Obesity in a Child
An overweight child is considered obese if her body mass index is 30 or greater. BMI measures weight in kilograms relative to height in meters squared. Risks of childhood obesity include high blood cholesterol, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. If you are concerned about your child's weight, don't wait to take action. With your help and support, your child can make the necessary changes to her lifestyle and eating habits to achieve a healthy weight and maintain it throughout the rest of her life.
Instructions
Take note of your child's diet. High-calorie foods such as fast foods, and sugary snacks like soda, candy and desserts, contribute to weight gain. According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a 6-year-old boy should consume 1,200 to 1,400 calories per day if he is sedentary; 1,400 to 1,600 calories per day if he is moderately active and 1,600 to 2,000 calories per day is he is active. Pay attention to your child's activity level. Physical activity burns calories, so a lack of exercise may have contributed to her weight gain. A child who spends more time watching television or playing video games than riding a bike or playing sports may begin to put on weight. Watch your child's portion sizes. If he piles his plate with food or regularly asks for second -- or third -- helpings, he may be consuming more calories than he is burning. Restaurant and takeout portions tend to be larger than they should be, which may influence the servings you offer at home. See the ChooseMyPlate website for guidelines on your child's daily servings of fruits, vegetables, dairy, protein foods and grains. For example, a child between 4 and 8 years old who gets less than 30 minutes of moderate physical exercise per day should eat the equivalent of 4 ounces of protein per day. Follow the ChooseMyPlate guidelines to create the healthiest plate for your child. Half of your child's plate should be made up fruits and vegetables, while a quarter should be allotted for grains and a quarter for protein. Take your child to your doctor or health care provider. Your doctor will take into account your child's history of growth and development and your family's patterns of weight-to-height ratios before confirming a diagnosis of childhood obesity. Some children have large body frames, or bear extra weight at different points in their childhood. Your doctor may want to test your child's blood sugar or cholesterol before making a final diagnosis. Take responsibility for the part you may have played in your child's weight gain. You can't expect your child to eat a balanced diet if he doesn't have access to nutritious, healthy food. Set a good example for your child by eating healthy foods and providing nutritious, home-cooked meals for the whole family. Replace soda, chips and candy with fruit and whole grain snacks. Get into the habit of checking all food labels in the supermarket, as many foods contain hidden salt or sugar, like breakfast cereals, bread and ketchup. Opt for low-salt or sodium-free options wherever possible.
