To determine childhood obesity a measurement called the BMI (body mass index) is used. While BMI is a practical way for adults to test for obesity, it is not necessarily safe to rely solely on this measurement for children. Remember, BMI is but one of the "tools" used by professionals.
The doctor, nurse, or dietitian needs to be involved because the obese child is a "moving target" in the sense that his need to lose weight may conflict with his need to gain weight the right kind of way. His or her body is growing and developing. Only a professional can determine the correct guidelines for your child, so be sure to consult one.
There are a variety of conditions may occur as a result of overweight or obesity. This is true for children and adults. There is also a danger that children may develop serious conditions as a result of dieting or undue focus on weight reduction. For example:
• Anorexia and bulimia. A child may become consumed with losing weight and develop either (or both) of these serious conditions. The anorexic child refuses to eat proper amounts and kinds of food; the bulimic will attempt to lose weight by means of induced vomiting and the use of laxatives.
• Depression and low self-esteem. The overweight child may feel poorly about his appearance to the extent that he is able to focus on nothing else...schoolwork, social experience, playing.
• Substance abuse. The overweight child, especially one who has become depressed, is at peril for drug abuse in an attempt to ease the stress.
In view of these frightening possibilities, it may be tempting to ignore the child's weight. This too is dangerous. The overweight child is at risk of developing the same conditions as the overweight adult: heart disease, diabetes, sleep and joint disorders, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The child probably won't develop most of these during his early years but by the time he reaches adulthood he will have been "carrying the load" and challenging his health for a long time because of obesity. In addition, there is a tendency for the overweight child to mature earlier than peers, including irregular menstrual periods, and potential fertility problems as adults.
Once guidance from the physician has been sought the child can safely be put on a nutritionally sound, calorie restricted diet. At the same time, his caloric output can be increased by means of a modest exercise program. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children over the age of two get at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day.
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