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Nutrition & Physical Activity Home > Program Areas > Obesity and Overweight Prevention > Childhood Obesity Information Childhood Obesity Information

1-800-433-0746

Childhood Obesity Information

What is Childhood Obesity/Overweight?

Children (2-19 years of age) may be considered extremely overweight if they have a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to the 95th percentile, based on gender and age specific charts. If the BMI is equal to or greater than the 85th percentile, the child is considered overweight.

Links to growth charts: CDC Clinical Boy and Girl Growth ChartsEating

What Causes Obesity/Overweight?

Lollipop
 
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Unhealthy eating patterns
 
  • Genetics, family history of obesity
  • Unhealthy family environment
 
  • Technological, social, economic and environmental changes that have reduced physical activity and increased food access and passive consumption.

 

Who Can Be Overweight?

Both infants and children can be overweight/obese. Infants with obese parents have an 80% chance of becoming obese *.
*Penn State Children’s Hospital

What are the Health Consequences of Childhood Obesity/Overweight?

  • Heart Disease
  • Type II Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Some cancers
  • Asthma
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Sleep Apnea
  • Adult Obesity

How Is Obesity/Overweight Diagnosed?

Obesity/overweight is usually diagnosed through the child’s doctor’s exams.

How to Prevent Obesity/Overweight?

  • Eat healthy foods
Exercise2 Girl_Apples
  • Encourage physical activity
  • Maintain appropriate weight
  • Involve all family members

Height and Weight Collection

In order to assess Indiana school children’s health status, the Indiana State Department of Health and the Indiana Department of Education have coordinated a data collection project. This data collection project will compile information from all the Indiana schools (K-12) to create a baseline for Indiana school children’s height and weight. Data from this project will have a major influence on health policies and health programming in the future.

More Important Resources:

Focus on Child Obesity from the Institute of Medicine
Fit WIC

Height and Weight Collection Resorces:

For more information, please contact
Community Nutrition/Obesity Prevention Division
Indiana State Department of Health
1-800-433-0746 or
Indiana Family Help Line
1-800-433-0746

Indiana State Department of Health
2 N Meridian St
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Email: Public Affairs

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