A condition in which a child is significantly overweight for his or her age and height.
Very common
- More than 3 million cases per year in the United States
- Medium-term: resolves within months
- Usually self-treatable
- Usually self-diagnosable
- Lab tests or imaging not required
Childhood obesity can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
There may be no symptoms other than weight that’s above normal.
Improving the entire family’s diet and exercise habits is one of the best ways to achieve a healthy weight in the child.