DIAGNOSIS
As an aspect of healthy child care, the doctor ascertains your child’s BMI and figures out where it falls on the BMI-for-age growth chart. The BMI demonstrates if your kid is overweight for his or her age and height.
Utilizing the growth chart, your doctor decides your kid’s percentile, which means how your kid compares to other kids of a similar sex and age. For instance, if your child is in the 80th percentile, it implies that when compared with other kids of a similar sex and age, 80 percent have a lower weight or BMI.
Here are the cutoff points that help distinguish children who are overweight and obese:
- BMI in the range of 85th and 94th percentiles — overweight
- BMI 95th percentile or above — obesity
Since BMI doesn’t consider muscularity or having a bigger than normal body frame and because growth patters shift greatly among kids, your doctor likewise factors in your kid’s development and growth. This decides if your kid’s weight is a health concern.
Other information that is also useful include the following:
- Your family history of obesity and weight-related health problems, such as diabetes
- Your child’s eating habits
- Your child’s activity level
- Other health conditions your child may have
- Psychosocial history, such as depression, sleep disturbances and bullying
Blood tests
Blood tests may also be requested which may include the following:
TREATMENT
Treatment for overweight children depends on your kid’s age and other medical conditions. Treatment will include changes in your kid’s dietary habits and physical activity levels. In specific conditions, treatment may include medicines or weight reduction surgery.