Q) When do you say a child is Obese ?
A) Obesity is measured as weight adjusted for height squared [body mass index (BMI in kg/m2. The cut off for Asian and Indian adults are:
- BMI >23 overweight
- BMI >27 obese
Indian charts can be used in Asian children with the same cut offs
Q) Can any other measurement be used to measure obesity ?
A) The WHO recommends Waist Circumference > 94cm (males), >80cm (females) and WHR > 0.90 cm (males) and > 0.85cm (females) as increased risk for metabolic complications.
Q) what are the causes for Obesity in Children ?
A) There can be underlying medical causes for obesity in children:
- Nutritional
- Monogenic disorders
- Syndromic
- Endocrine causes
- Drugs side effects
The most common cause is Nutritional – due to excess calorie intake.
Q) Can Obesity in children lead to other problems ?
A) Pediatric overweight and obesity is associated with several health problems:
- Prediabetic or overt Diabetes
- Lipid disorders
- Hypertension
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Kidney diseases (proteinuria/ focal segmental glomerulosclerosis)
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS
- Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
- Cardiovascular complications
Q) What can be done to prevent Obesity in Children ?
A) Goals of obesity prevention should be to promote physical activity and healthy diet. We should try and follow the Rule of 5-2-1-0.
- 5 or more servings of fruit and vegetables per day
- 2 hours of screen time or less per day
- 1 hour or more of physical activity per day
- 0 sugar sweetened beverages per day
Q) Are medicines given to treat Obesity in Children ?
A) Medicines are available which can be used in Obese children, but they are given only under the medical supervision of a Paediatric Endocrinologist, who would first do some related blood tests to find an underlying cause of obesity. These are medicines are given in addition to lifestyle modification for a specified amount of time.
