Is my child obese?
Diagnosis:
The CDC Body Mass Index (BMI) -for-age growth chart is available below. The chart helps indicate if your child is overweight for his/her age and height.
Cutoff points on these growth charts, established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), identify overweight and obese children:
Additional Factors:
Blood tests:
The CDC Body Mass Index (BMI) -for-age growth chart is available below. The chart helps indicate if your child is overweight for his/her age and height.
Cutoff points on these growth charts, established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), identify overweight and obese children:
- BMI-for-age between 85th and 94th percentiles — overweight/ at risk
- BMI-for-age 95th percentile or above — obesity
Additional Factors:
- Family history of obesity and weight-related health problems, such as diabetes
- Your child's eating habits
- Your child's activity level
Blood tests:
- A cholesterol test: help determine your risk of the buildup of plaques in your arteries that can lead to narrowed or blocked arteries throughout your body (atherosclerosis)
- A blood sugar test: measures the amount of a type of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Glucose comes from carbohydrate foods. It is the main source of energy used by the body.
- Tests to check for hormone imbalances
Talk to your pediatrician.