If your child is overweight or obese, this means that they are carrying excess body fat.

If the extra weight they are carrying is treated in childhood, some of these health problems may be reversed, or even prevented. Your child is also more likely to grow into an adult with a healthy weight. The main way to treat a child who is overweight or obese is to look at changes that can be made to their lifestyle. Such changes include eating more healthily and doing plenty of physical activity. Children learn by example so changes that involve the whole family are best.

Signs and symptoms

Not all children carrying extra pounds are overweight. Some children have larger than average body frames. And children normally carry different amounts of body fat at the various stages of development. So you might not know by how your child looks if weight is a health concern.

The body mass index (BMI), which provides a guideline of weight in relation to height, is the accepted measure of overweight and obesity. Your child's doctor can use growth charts, the BMI and, if necessary, other tests to help you figure out if your child's weight could pose health problems.

When to see a doctor?

If you're worried that your child is putting on too much weight, talk to his or her doctor. The doctor will consider your child's history of growth and development, your family's weight-for-height history, and where your child lands on the growth charts. This can help determine if your child's weight is in an unhealthy range.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20354827

https://patient.info/healthy-living/obesity-overweight/childhood-obesity

https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/obesity-in-children