Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is a complex chronic (long-term) condition that happens when your child is above a healthy weight for their age, height and sex assigned at birth.

The medical definition of childhood obesity is having a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for age and sex in children aged 2 years and older.

Children’s BMI factors differ from adults. For children, BMI is age- and sex-specific because their body compositions naturally change as they age. Healthcare providers use special growth charts to assess a healthy BMI for children.

How common is childhood obesity?

Obesity is one of the most common childhood chronic conditions.

According to studies the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted from 2017 to 2020, obesity affected about 19.7% of children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 years in the United States. That’s about 14.7 million children and adolescents.

Childhood obesity affects the following age groups:

12.7% of children aged 2 to 5.
20.7% of children aged 6 to 11.
22.2% of adolescents aged 12 to 19.

Childhood obesity is more common among certain populations. It affects:

26.2% of Hispanic children.
24.8% of non-Hispanic Black children.
16.6% of non-Hispanic white children.
9.0% of non-Hispanic Asian children.

Lastly, having overweight and obesity are more common in children who:

Live in poverty.
Live in under-resourced communities.
Are part of families that have immigrated.
Experience discrimination or stigma.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

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