Is childhood obesity harmful, and how can I help without harming my child’s confidence?
Childhood obesity can be associated with blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, sleep, liver and joint problems. Assessment focuses on growth and health, not appearance. A supportive family plan and paediatric review are more helpful than blame or restrictive dieting.
Details
How is weight assessed?
Clinicians use age- and sex-specific body mass index alongside growth patterns, examination and family history. Adult weight thresholds do not apply to children, and one measurement cannot identify the cause or overall health impact. Testing depends on age and risk factors.
Practical family changes
Make water the usual drink, establish regular meals and sleep, and encourage enjoyable activity suited to ability. Join in rather than isolating the child with punitive meals or comments about their body. Maintaining weight while growing taller may suit some children; others need a different treatment goal.
When more support helps
Discuss loud snoring, fatigue, joint pain, bullying or distress-related eating. Structured treatment programmes can help. Medicines or surgery may be considered for selected patients after specialist assessment of age and severity. Do not give a child weight-loss products without professional advice.
Related reading: When should children start physical activity, and how much do they need?.