What Should You Do If Your Child Is

Overweight Or Has Obesity?

Children who are overweight are more likely to become adults who are overweight.
These children may develop high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and other serious
health problems. Weight problems may also lead to stress, sadness, and low self-esteem
in children. Because children grow at different rates at different times, it is not always
easy to tell if a child is overweight. For example, it is normal for boys to have a growth
spurt in weight and catch up in height later.

Ask your health care professional to measure your children and tell you if they are in a
healthy range for their age and gender. You can also calculate your child's body mass
index (BMI) NIH external link, and then discuss any concerns with your child's health
care professional. BMI is a measure of body fat calculated from weight and height. If
your provider tells you that your child weighs more than he or she should, there are
ways you can help your child who is struggling with his or her weight.

How can I help my child with his or her weight?

Here are some do’s and don’ts.

 Accept and love your child at any weight. Doing so will boost self-esteem.
 Involve the whole family in following healthy habits, even if other family
members are not overweight.
 Focus on healthy eating, regular physical activity, and adequate sleep, rather than
a number on the scale.
 Help your child find ways other than food or beverages to handle setbacks or
mark successes.
 Talk with your health care professional to get trusted advice about addressing
your child’s health habits and weight. The internet is full of misinformation that
may be hard to distinguish from good advice.
How can I help my child be more active?

There are many ways you can help.

 As you work to develop a physical activity routine, you can be a role model for
your children. If they see you being physically active and having fun, they might
grow to like it and stick with it.
 Involve the whole family in activities like dancing or playing a favorite sport.
 Focus on fun. You can do a lot of walking during trips to the zoo or park.
 Include children in family activities like walking the dog, washing the car, or
cleaning the house.
 Sign up your children for after-school programs or lessons in an activity or sport
they enjoy, if they’re available and you can afford it.
 Team up with your children to play sports or dance video games that get everyone
moving.
 Share tips External link with your children about how to be physically active
throughout the day.
 Consider using an interactive online tool External link to find ways to help your
children get more physical activity.

Remember, you play the biggest role in your children's lives. You can help your children
learn healthy eating, physical activity, and other habits to follow for the rest of their
lives.