Children and weight problems
Key points
- A person is generally considered obese if he or she weighs 25% more than his or her ideal body weight.
- Factors such as unhealthy eating habits, too little physical activity, and family lifestyle all play an important role in obesity.
- Heredity also plays a big role - a child of obese parents has an 80% risk of being obese, while the child of parents who are not obese has only a 10% likelihood of being obese.
- Avoid nagging your child about his or her eating habits.
Alternative names
Weight problems and children
Information
A person is generally considered obese if he or she weighs 25% more than his or her ideal body weight. Factors such as unhealthy eating habits, too little physical activity, and family lifestyle all play an important role in obesity.
Heredity also plays a big role - a child of obese parents has an 80% risk of being obese, while the child of parents who are not obese has only a 10% likelihood of being obese.
Avoid nagging your child about his or her eating habits. Instead, try to alter the eating habits of your entire family toward a low-fat regimen.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.