Obesity In Children

MD RASUL BIN HARON

Childhood obesity is a condition where excess body fat negatively affects a child's health or wellbeing. As methods to determine body fat directly are difficult, the diagnosis of obesity is often based on BMI. Due to the rising prevalence of obesity in children and its many adverse health effects it is being recognized as a serious public health concern. The term overweight rather than obese is often used in children as it is less stigmatizing. Classification Body mass index (BMI) is acceptable for determining obesity for children two years of age and older. The normal range for BMI in children vary with age and sex. The Center for Disease Control defines obesity as a BMI greater than the 95th percentile. It has published tables for determining this in children. Effects on health The first problems to occur in obese children are usually emotional or psychological. Childhood obesity however can also lead to life-threatening conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep problems, cancer, and other disorders. Some of the other disorders would include liver disease.