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Page 8 | Abby's Magazine - www.AbbysMag.com Up to one out of every five children in the US is overweight or obese, and this number is con nuing to rise. Children have fewer weight-related health and medical problems than adults. However, overweight children are at high risk of becoming overweight adolescents and adults, placing them at risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes later in life. They are also more prone to develop stress, sadness, and low self-esteem. What Causes Obesity in Children? Children become overweight and obese for a variety of reasons. The most common causes are gene c factors, lack of physical ac vity, unhealthy ea ng pa erns, or a combina on of these factors. Only in rare cases is being overweight caused by a medical condi on such as a hormonal problem. A physical exam and some blood tests can rule out the possibility of a medical condi on as the cause for obesity. Although weight problems run in families, not all children with a family history of obesity will be overweight. Children whose parents or brothers or sisters are overweight may be at an increased risk of becoming overweight themselves, but this can by linked to shared family behaviors such as ea ng and ac vity habits. A child's total diet and ac vity level play an important role in determining a child's weight. Today, many children spend a lot of me being inac ve. For example, the average child spends approximately four hours each day watching television. As computers and video games become increasingly popular, the number of hours of inac vity may increase. What Diseases Are Obese Children at Risk For? Obese children are at risk for a number of condi ons, including: • High blood pressure • Early heart disease • Diabetes • High cholesterol • Bone problems • Skin condi ons such as heat rash, fungal infec ons, and acne How Do I Know if My Child Is Overweight? The best person to determine whether or not your child is overweight is your child's doctor. In determining whether or not your child is overweight, the doctor will measure your child's weight and height and compute his "BMI," or body mass index, to compare this value to standard values. The doctor will also consider your child's age and growth pa erns. Assessing obesity in children can be difficult, because children can grow in unpredictable spurts. How Can I Help My Overweight Child? If you have an overweight child, it is very important that you allow him or her to know that you will be suppor ve. Children's feelings about themselves o en are based on their parents' feelings about them, and if you accept your children at any weight, they will be more likely to feel good about themselves. It is also important to talk to your children about their weight, allowing them to share their concerns with you. It is not recommended that parents set children apart because of their weight. Instead, parents should focus on gradually changing their family's physical ac vity and ea ng habits. By involving the en re family, everyone is taught healthful habits and the overweight child does not feel singled out. OVERWEIGHT CHILDREN Page 8 | Abby's Magazine - www.AbbysMag.com