Conditions
Obesity
Few health subjects are more in the headlines these days than obesity, and kids from all backgrounds are just as much at risk as adults. In 2008 the NHS reported that one in four children in reception classes were overweight or obese and it’s estimated that if current trends continue, by 2020 a fifth of all kids will be obese.
Fatty foods, a high sugar intake and not enough exercise all contribute to the problem, which is not only damaging for children now, but may store up other problems, such as heart disease and diabetes, for later life. The incidence of type 2 diabetes, which used to be associated only with adults, is increasing now in teenagers as a direct result of obesity.
So how do you know if your child is really obese, or just carrying the ordinary fat that affects all children? Obesity in adults is measured on the Body Mass Index (BMI), which compares weight to height. Kids, of course, are constantly growing so the BMI isn’t quite so simple. Your doctor can perform a BMI test for kids, and also measure your child’s weight against a national average to assess whether they are obese.
If the answer is yes, the first thing to look at is diet and general eating habits. Crisps, chocolate bars, biscuits, snacks and fast food contain a lot of fat and sugar and not much fibre. This, combined with insufficient exercise, will cause kids to pile on the pounds. Change their eating habits to include more fresh fruit and veg (they should be getting the famous ‘five-a-day’) and take more exercise, maybe in conjunction with the rest of the family. Experts suggest that rather than suddenly changing their diet dramatically, work out with them what they really like. That way they are more likely to actually eat it.
Obesity doesn’t just introduce physical problems in kids. If your child is being teased or bullied for being overweight, there’s an emotional impact too. Being overweight may make them feel depressed. The important thing to remember is that childhood obesity is easily reduced by simply eating better and taking exercise, and that if kids are introduced to healthy eating habits when they are young, they will carry them through the rest of their lives.
Comments and Questions
You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
im 14 and i weigh 9st 9lbs, i dont like the way i look and i find it hard to stick to a diet/excersise regime,i also have a lot of stretch marks on my legs and boobs, it makes me feel like ive put on too much weight, can you help?
I'm 13 and I'm very overweight. I really want some help as I weigh 12 stone and I really don't like my appearance please help.
i am 8 stone and 5 lbs i am 10 going on 11 and my advice to you is to do what i did and that is stick to a healthy diet like pear for breakfast a healthy packet of crisp then a healthy dinner i only started to day and i went on the scales and i have lost 3 pounds i hope i have helped you good luck xx
I am 10st 11lbs and i am 13 going on 14 next month. I have been on a various of diets and none seem to work, i am 5ft 3in and my weight is everywhere. It is very hard for me to do anything as i sweat really badly and i shower before and after school yet i still smell. I go through so many perfumes and sprays and body gels to cover up smell just so my friends or my boyfriend not to find out, and gives me something good i know about my appearance . I Know this is a very bad problem. I'd love to lose about 2 stone before summer! Just need a REALLY Good diet and exercise Regime!:(
I'm 15 and i weight nearly 17 stone. I've tryed everything to help loose weight and nothings helped. I'm ashamed and i'm insecure about my body. I dont go out because of what people think. I just wanna change. I hate going to school because of my weight and i know that people are talking about me i just want to change i need help. !!
Hi, I'm just like you. Im 16 and weight 106kg. This is really uncomfortable for my looks, and having people make fun of me. I don't mind now because my friends don't really see my weight as a problem. Try to get out more and try and eat a little less. I weighed 106kg in January and in that time people have told me I've lost some weight and look thinner. Hope this helped you.
I am 5 foot 7 and 136-138lbs and 14 but i had to use the kids health checker as i couldn't find it on the teens site. I know i'm overweight but it told me i'm obese? I didn't think it was that bad! Any diets i can go on to drop a stone? Please help!!
Why do local P C T's deny that childhood obesity needs help that isnt surgery ?? my son applied two yrs ago for a camp which would be more beneficial to him( given his problems with food ..due to illness when younger he is terrified that fruit and veg will cause him extreme pain again as previously and hates the taste on his tongue of any of them except potato) that surgery to be told by the PCT that he could have surgery but not the camp but then we were informed that he was too young at 14 so he couldnt have this either ( not that i would of agreed given his young growing body) ,WHY DO LOCAL PCT'S IGNORE THE BENEFIT OF CAMPS AND COGNITIVE BEHAVIOUR THERAPY ?? given my son,s father died of a heart attack at 43 you would of thought that it would of been important but why does he have to wait till he is 18 before anything is done to help him we have tried to but nothing from the pct is forthcoming.
Hello I'm 16 and currently weigh around 16-17 stone I have tried everything like slimming world, the dietitian, and I now go the the gym regularly but I still never seem to loose weight. I have had my thyroids checked when I was little and it was all okay. I have a portion plate which I also use. Please help me I am desperate to loose weight before my prom. Help!! xx
hey im 14 and I weigh 10stone,im 5ft5 and all my mates are skinnier than me I feel insecure and iv got stretchmarks on the top of my legs..please help!
hi im 14 and i weigh 9st and i am 5ft 1 i am only get bigger around the stomache do you have any advice plz help!!!!!!!!!!! :)
I'm a 13 year old girl. I'm 12 stone 12 and 5"4. Any diet that I try doesn't seem to work, and I have horrible stretch marks on my stomach. HELP ME.
im the same i eat a bag of fruit for my dinner and a bottle of water make sure you feed yourself i wish i coukd be slim so i will have more friends and we be liked a lot more try eating lenty of fruit and smaller potions for dinner and tea if you have had your tea and 1 hour ltr your hungry well your not its just your mind playing triks have a glass of water it is healthy and can fill you up hoe this helpd xxx
Diets don't work, just eat less of what you would usually eat and walk for 30 minutes a day.
Important Notice
The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here