For Parents of "Slightly Overweight" Kids ...

How To Be Sure Your Child Stays Healthy

Parents may be too relaxed about their child's weight ... which puts them at risk for serious health problems soon, and in years to come.  Many parents underestimate the scope of their child's weight problem ... and some were completely unaware.

A recent survey of mothers and fathers around the nation found that many whose kids are clinically obese  believe their obese child's weight is normal or just slightly higher than it should be.  This was even truer for parents of younger children, who tended to believe the chubbiness would disappear with age. 

The University of Michigan survey of 2,060 adults was conducted last summer by Internet research firm Knowledge Networks.  Researchers requested height and weight measurements of the children, from their parents ... then used those figures to calculate age-appropriate body mass index (BMI).   Kids who scored in the 95th percentile or higher for children of the same age and gender were considered obese.

The calculations revealed that 15% of the children ages 6 to 11 were obese ... but only 13% of their parents considered their child "very overweight."    43% said their child was "about the right weight" ... 37% responded "slightly overweight" and a few described their overweight kids as "slightly underweight."

Ten percent of the kids ages 12 - 17 were obese and their parents were slightly less clueless, with 56% describing their child as "slightly overweight" and 31% saying their child was "very overweight."  About "the right weight" was how 11% described their kids and, again, a few responded "slightly underweight."

To read more about this research, please click here...  Michigan Child Obesity Study. To measure your child's Body Mass Index, please click here...BMI Calculation Tool.

Our Advice:  Parental love and pride can affect perception of a child's weight problem ... but it's your role as a parent to help ensure your child stays healthy by attaining a normal weight.  Numbers tell the truth and if your child's BMI is higher than the 95^th percentile, we can help ... and it's important to address the problem.  Give us a call.