Treating and preventing childhood obesity helps protect your child's health now and in the future. Not all children carrying extra pounds are overweight. Some children have larger than average body frames.
And children normally carry different amounts of body fat at the various stages of development. So you might not know by how your child looks if weight is a health concern. The body mass index BMI , which provides a guideline of weight in relation to height, is the accepted measure of overweight and obesity. Your child's doctor can use growth charts, the BMI and, if necessary, other tests to help you figure out if your child's weight could pose health problems.
If you're worried that your child is putting on too much weight, talk to his or her doctor. The doctor will consider your child's history of growth and development, your family's weight-for-height history, and where your child lands on the growth charts. This can help determine if your child's weight is in an unhealthy range.
Lifestyle issues — too little activity and too many calories from food and drinks — are the main contributors to childhood obesity. But genetic and hormonal factors might play a role as well. Many factors — usually working in combination — increase your child's risk of becoming overweight:. Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. Related Topics. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website.
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Skip to main content. Children Home Children Obesity in children - causes. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Risk factors for childhood obesity Childhood obesity is a worldwide problem Society has contributed to obesity Health problems associated with obesity Obesity in childhood leads to obesity in adulthood Social problems for obese children and adolescents Where to get help Things to remember.
Risk factors for childhood obesity Your body stores unused energy kilojoules as body fat. Factors that may cause children to become overweight and obese include: Food choices — these include choosing high fat and sugary foods instead of healthier options. Lack of physical activity — Australian children are less active than they were in the past.
It seems that these pastimes are replacing active ones. Some overweight parents may be less concerned about their children also being overweight than parents who have a healthy weight. Genetics — some rare gene disorders cause severe childhood obesity. Not getting enough physical activity and spending too much time on sedentary activities such as watching television or other screen devices can lead to weight gain. In contrast, consuming healthy foods and being physically active can help children grow and maintain a healthy weight.
Balancing energy or calories consumed from foods and beverages with the calories burned through activity plays a role in preventing excess weight gain. In addition, eating healthy foods and being physically active helps to prevent chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and heart disease.
A healthy diet follows the Dietary Guidelines for Americans external icon. It emphasizes eating a variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, a variety of lean protein foods, and low-fat and fat-free dairy products. It also recommends limiting foods and beverages with added sugars, solid fats, or sodium. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans external icon recommends children aged 6 — 17 years do at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day.
Children aged 3 through 5 years should be physically active throughout the day for growth and development. See tips to help children maintain a healthy weight. It can be difficult to make healthy food choices and get enough physical activity in environments that do not support healthy habits. Places such as childcare centers, schools, or communities can affect diet and activity through the foods and drinks they offer and the opportunities for physical activity they provide. Other community factors include the affordability of healthy food options, peer and social supports, marketing and promotion, and policies that determine how a community is designed.
Obesity during childhood can harm the body in a variety of ways. Children who have obesity are more likely to have:
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