MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Weight problems and children

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Weight problems and children

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Illustrations Alternative names	Information

Illustrations

Childhood obesity

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Children and weight problems

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A person is generally considered obese if he or she weighs 25% more than his or her ideal body weight. Factors such as unhealthy eating habits, too little physical activity, and family lifestyle all play an important role in obesity.

Heredity also plays a big role -- a child of obese parents has an 80% risk of being obese, while the child of parents who are not obese has only a 10% likelihood of being obese.

Avoid nagging your child about his or her eating habits. Instead, try to alter the eating habits of your entire family toward a low-fat regimen.

Update Date: 4/22/2003

Updated by: Elizabeth Hait, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.