Defining Overweight and Obesity for Children and Teens
Overweight and obesity in children and teens are defined as the accumulation of excess fat in the body, which can disrupt their health. It is important to note that at least 20% of children nationwide are overweight or obese. These conditions can significantly impact the quality of their lives and have long-term consequences.
Overweight and obesity in children and teens are determined using a measurement called Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI takes into account weight and height to assess body fatness. The BMI is then compared to BMI charts for the child’s or teen’s age and sex to determine if they are considered underweight, at risk for overweight, or overweight or obese.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a child or teen is considered overweight if their BMI is at or above the 85th percentile for their height and weight. This means their BMI is higher than 85% of other children their age and sex. They are considered obese if their BMI is at or above the 95th percentile.
Childhood overweight is a significant predictor of obesity in adulthood. Additionally, childhood obesity is associated with increased mortality and various diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, orthopedic issues, and respiratory diseases. It is crucial to address these conditions early on to prevent future health problems.
Factors that contribute to excessive weight gain include emotional eating (eating to deal with negative emotions), external eating (eating in response to external cues like the image or smell of food), and restrained eating (limiting food intake). Emotional eating and external eating can lead to overconsumption of food, while restrained eating involves suppressing hunger through cognitive control.
It is worth noting that overweight and obesity are multifactorial conditions influenced by genetic and non-genetic factors. Lack of physical activity and unhealthy dietary patterns leading to excess energy intake are common contributors to these conditions in children and teens.
In summary, overweight and obesity in children and teens are defined as the accumulation of excess fat in the body, which can have significant implications for their health. These conditions are associated with various diseases and can have long-term consequences. Factors such as emotional eating, external eating, restrained eating, lack of physical activity, and unhealthy dietary patterns contribute to excessive weight gain. Early intervention is crucial in addressing these conditions and promoting better health outcomes.