Obesity
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Peds 4 Kids
Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine located in Rego Park, NY
The number of children and teens who are obese has more than tripled since the ‘70s. Although obesity can harm your child’s health and self-esteem, Peds 4 Kids offers nutritional counseling to help them achieve a healthy weight as well as USANA® nutrition and health products. The practice includes Daniela Atanassova-Lineva, MD, who is board certified in pediatric and adolescent medicine. If you’re worried about your child’s weight, don’t delay. Call the practice in Rego Park, New York, today or book a consultation online.
Obesity Q & A
What causes childhood obesity?
Childhood obesity is a serious issue, affecting your child’s health, development, and self-esteem. Obesity puts your son or daughter at risk for medical problems now and as they grow up.
Although childhood obesity is common, certain factors increase the risk of obesity, such as:
- A poor diet
- Too little exercise
- Family history
A combination of these factors can influence whether your child is overweight.
What are the health risks of childhood obesity?
Obesity increases a child’s likelihood of developing medical problems that affect their health today and with each passing year. These health risks include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Type 2 diabetes
Being overweight as a child also increases the chances of:
- Bone and joint problems
- Shortness of breath that makes it difficult for your child to exercise or play sports
- Nighttime breathing problems, such as sleep apnea
- Maturing earlier than their peers
Heart-related issues that develop in childhood can turn into more serious medical conditions in adulthood. What’s more, overweight children may be exposed to emotional abuse like bullying or experience low self-esteem.
How is childhood obesity diagnosed?
A common way to measure childhood obesity is by body mass index, or BMI. BMI uses weight and height measurements to estimate body fat.
Dr. Atanassova-Lineva may calculate your child’s BMI and use a growth chart to determine your child’s percentile. A percentile is a way of comparing your child to other children the same age and gender, for example:
- Overweight is a BMI between the 85th and 94th percentiles
- Obesity is a BMI at the 95th percentile and up
She also may recommend blood tests to look for some of the medical problems associated with obesity.
How is childhood obesity treated?
Peds 4 Kids offers nutrition counseling to help your child achieve a healthy weight. Dr. Atanassova-Lineva discusses with you your family's eating and activity habits then helps you set realistic goals.
She suggests ways to encourage your child to be more physically active. She also suggests the right eating program to help your child gradually lose weight.
While it’s good for an overweight child to shed excess pounds, drastic weight loss isn’t healthy. In fact, children ages 6-11 shouldn’t lose more than one pound a month.
If you’re concerned about obesity and want to set your child on the right path to long-lasting health, call today or book a consultation online with Peds 4 Kids.
