Obesity - How do I know if my child has a weight problem

• Overweight and obesity in childhood is a serious problem in Australia.
• Up to 1 in 4 school-aged children in New South Wales are overweight or obese.
• If you think your child may have a weight problem, then you should take them to be reviewed by your general practitioner (GP) or paediatrician. This will include measuring your child's height and weight and involve keeping a record of this on growth charts.
• Regular measuring of height and weight by a GP is recommended. This allows them to see any changes in their growth. Finding out where your child is on the growth charts is an important part of health
• Signs that children may have a weight problem include:
  • If they wear clothes that are much larger than their age (more than 2 sizes above their age)
  • If they are much bigger than the other children in their class at school.
  • If they watch more than 3 hours of television each day.
  • If they eat just as much, or more than, adults in the family
  • If they refuse to eat a well-balanced diet with a variety of fruit and vegetables.
  • If they eat takeaway food more than twice a week.
  • If they get very puffed when doing physical activity.
  • If they constantly say they are hungry or are always looking for food.
• If your child has some of these features, it is a good idea to take them to your GP or paediatrician for an assessment.

Remember

• Overweight and obesity is a serious problem in Australia.
• Early identification and management of overweight and obesity in childhood is more likely to prevent long term weight problems.
• Parents and carers play a key role in the management of childhood overweight and obesity.
• If you think that your child may have a weight problem, take them to your local GP or paediatrician for assessment.
• Don’t wait and think that children will “grow out of it”.