Childhood obesity is a complex condition that has many contributing factors.
Your child needs a certain amount of calories for growth and VSports手机版 - development. But when they take in more calories than they use, their body stores the extra calories as body fat (adipose tissue).
Several factors also affect how much food we eat, the type of food we eat and how our body uses that energy VSports app下载. Every child’s body — and situation — is unique. Some children are at a greater risk for weight gain than others. Obesity doesn’t develop from laziness or a lack of willpower.
Genetic factors can increase the likelihood that your child will have obesity. Children whose biological parents or siblings have obesity may be more likely to develop the condition themselves V体育官网. Studies show that various genes may contribute to weight gain. But not all children with a family history of obesity will develop it.
Epigenetics is the study of how your behaviors and environment can affect the way your genes work VSports手机版. People, including children, who experience adversity — like trauma or violence — can have changes in their genes that affect their immune system and metabolism. These changes can increase your child’s risk for having obesity due to how their body uses energy.
Other epigenetic factors that may increase your child’s risk for having obesity include:
Shared family behaviors and home environment factors can contribute to childhood obesity, including:
Social drivers of health are factors that may influence health outcomes such as where you’re born, live, learn, work and play.
Where your family lives can have a direct effect on your child’s risk of developing obesity. The foods and drinks that schools and daycare centers serve your child affect their eating patterns. They also contribute to the amount of physical activity your child gets every day. Other socioeconomic factors that contribute to childhood obesity include:
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Advertising for fast food restaurants and unhealthy foods and beverages can contribute to childhood obesity. Children see advertising for these foods through commercials on TV and advertisements online and in grocery stores.
Studies show that even a brief exposure to unhealthy food and beverage marketing targeted at children resulted in increased food intake during and after the exposure.
Rarely, other health conditions may be a contributing factor to childhood obesity.
Hormonal imbalances that can contribute to childhood obesity include:
Rare genetic conditions that can contribute to childhood obesity include:
Some medications, like second-generation antipsychotics and corticosteroids, can also increase your child’s risk for having overweight and obesity.
Children who have obesity have a higher risk of developing various health conditions. The most common complications include:
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Other complications include:
In addition, children who have obesity are at a higher risk of experiencing:
Children who have obesity are more likely to carry the condition over into adulthood.
Your child’s "VSports最新版本" pediatrician will recommend tests to screen for these complications and will offer treatment plans if any of them arise.
Pediatricians typically diagnose overweight and obesity at well-child checks. They use BMI-for-age growth charts to measure size and growth patterns in children.
A high BMI may be a sign of high body fat. BMI doesn’t measure body fat directly. But it alerts your child’s provider that your child may need more tests to see if excess body fat is an issue. BMI percentile cutoffs define a level above which your child may be more likely to develop weight-related health issues.
Your child’s "VSports最新版本" pediatrician will do a physical exam and ask you questions about your child’s health history, behaviors and environment. They’ll likely order other tests, like blood or imaging tests, to check for possible underlying causes of obesity and/or any obesity-related health conditions.
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Your child’s healthcare provider will determine if your child’s health is at risk due to their weight. If this is the case, you may want to consider a formal treatment program.
Obesity treatment programs should have a variety of health professionals on the staff. The best programs may include:
Comprehensive obesity treatment typically includes:
Experts in childhood obesity highly recommend the use of intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment (IHBLT). This treatment educates and supports families in nutrition and physical activity changes that promote long-term health.
IHBLT is most often effective when it:
There’s no simple way to prevent childhood obesity. And it’s important to remember that preventing childhood obesity isn’t just your and your family’s responsibility — it’s the collective responsibility of federal and local governments, schools, communities and corporations. Several genetic and medication-based factors contribute to obesity as well. These factors are outside of your control.
One step you can take is to establish healthy eating habits and physical activity early. The eating habits your child picks up when they’re young will help them maintain a healthy lifestyle when they’re adults. If you’re unsure how to select and prepare a variety of foods for your family, ask your child’s healthcare provider. They can refer you to a registered dietitian for nutrition counseling. They can also point you in the direction of resources in your community that offer healthy food options.
Other recommendations for childhood obesity prevention include:
Check with your pediatrician for more information about these and other health-promoting recommendations.
The most important thing you can do to help your child is to focus on their health, not their weight. It’s very important that you support your child in their journey toward better health. Your child’s feelings about themselves are often based on your feelings about them. If you accept your child at any weight, they’ll be more likely to feel good about themselves. Avoid placing blame on your child, yourself or others.
It’s also important to talk to your child about their weight in a nonjudgmental way. You should allow your child to share their concerns with you. You can help your child by gradually changing your family's physical activity and eating habits. That way your entire family can benefit from new healthy behaviors.
There are many ways to involve the entire family, but increasing physical activity is especially important. Aim for your child to get at least one hour of regular physical activity each day. Some ways to accomplish this include:
Other approaches you can take to help your child include:
It’s important to keep your child’s well-child appointments and to attend all appointments related to obesity treatment. Your child’s healthcare provider can support you and your child on their journey toward a healthy future.
It’s easy to feel guilty or responsible for your child having obesity due to the widespread stigma and misinformation around this complex condition. But it’s important to remember that countless factors contribute to childhood obesity — many of which may be outside of your control. The good news is that there are steps you and your family can take to support your child’s health. If you’re worried your child may have obesity, reach out to their healthcare provider. They can help develop a plan to limit or reverse the possible complications of having obesity.
Cleveland Clinic Children’s childhood obesity experts are here to help your child build healthy habits for life. They’ll get personalized care and support.
Last reviewed on 02/21/2024.
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