Childhood Obesity Understood and Managed

September 24, 2024

Overweight girl visiting nutritionist in clinic

Approximately 20 percent of American children and adolescents experience obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This health issue doesn’t just affect the early years. Childhood obesity may increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression and other health issues later in life.

“Childhood obesity is the most common chronic disease of childhood,” says Marisa Censani, M.D., associate professor of Clinical Pediatrics and director of the Pediatric Obesity Program at NYP Komansky Children's Hospital and Weill Cornell Medicine. “If we can intervene early on and prevent these future health complications, we're really helping to give these children a healthy future.”

Uncovering the Root of Childhood Obesity

There is no single cause of childhood obesity. Children born via C-section, fed formula or given antibiotics early in life may be at increased risk. However, many other factors may lead to excess weight during childhood, such as:

A diet high in processed foods
Absence of sidewalks, bike lanes and safe playgrounds
Excessive screen time
Exposure to trauma or stress
Food insecurity (a lack of access to nutritious foods)
Insufficient nutrition education
Poor sleep habits
Sedentary lifestyle

Helping Children Manage Their Weight

Because childhood obesity can lead to future health problems, it’s important to help children obtain a healthy weight as soon as possible. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends four stages to guide youngsters toward a healthy weight.

Develop healthy habits. Children should eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. They should also cut screen time to an hour and exercise at least that long.
Add some structure. A dietitian develops a customized eating plan. Time spent exercising increases and screen time remains the same. Your child tracks diet, exercise and screen time to track progress.
Include more experts. Your child gains the support of a multidisciplinary pediatric weight management team. These experts meet with your child weekly to help with food and activity monitoring and diet and physical activity goals.
Go beyond lifestyle. Intensive diet and exercise support continue. If these efforts are ineffective, the team discusses the possibility of weight loss medication or bariatric surgery with appropriate candidates.

A pediatric obesity program can also help families by providing individualized weight management plans to help children reach their goals.

It’s a Family Affair

Losing weight isn’t easy. It takes a plan and a lot of will power. To help your child reach a healthy weight, engage the whole family. When you do, give children an active role in mapping the way forward.

“I like to let the families take control,” says Isabel Reckson, CDCES, C.D.N., R.D., registered dietician and certified diabetes educator at Weill Cornell Medicine in the Divisions of Pediatric Endocrinology and Pediatric Nephrology. “Rather than saying, ‘This is the way you have to eat,’ I encourage families to put the child in the hot seat and ask, ‘What changes are you open to making?’”

Is childhood obesity affecting your family? Find a doctor at Weill Cornell Medicine to help your child reach a healthy weight for a healthier future.