[VickyRN]

Thanks for the links.
So, for adults, use the body mass index markers. Greater than 25 kg/m2 is considered overweight. Greater than 30 is considered obese. And, actually, there are three categories of obesity: obese I: BMI 30-34.9, obese II: BMI 35-59.9, and obese III (severe or morbid obesity): BMI greater than 40 (or 100 pounds or more overweight).

For children (generally age 2 to 18), use the CDC growth charts. Overweight in children is defined as a body mass index that is above the 95th percentile for his or her age on the growth chart. A body mass index that is above the 85th percentile means the child is at risk of becoming overweight. The vast majority of children who are overweight are also obese.

[VickyRN]

Originally Posted by Marie_LPN

Anyone remember the days when you went outside to play in the morning, and didn't come in until your parents dragged you inside?

I remember being poor enough that seeing a video game (someone else's, of course)once a year was rare. Computers were something that you were lucky to use at school.

That's the way my childhood was, and my children's childhood (who are now in their early twenties). Unfortunately, many parents nowadays do not have a nice big "yard" where their children can play safely in the fresh air and sunshine. With our present society being the way it is, most parents wouldn't even think of allowing their children to walk to school or bicycle around the neighborhood and surrounding areas (something I did on a regular basis... ah, the good old days )

Also, when I was in school, I don't remember candy and soda machines being on campus, and "fast-food" being served in the school cafeteria!

[z's playa]

Originally Posted by ayndim

Not pounds but a 30 or greater BMI. The actually pounds will vary depending on your height and sex. Sorry about that.

Ooooooh....I see.

[Marie_LPN, RN]

I think 100 lbs. over is what morbidly obese is.

[pickledpepperRN]

It seems to me that toddlers and young children will be active. Just take kids to a playground and turn them ;oose.
Of course they need a lot od supervision to be safe and learn other people have feelings too.

I get to sing songs with preschoolers. They can't be still. Kids jump and twirl, enjoying the movement of their body.
When it rains we do the 'Hokey pokey' or 'Head, shoulders, knees, and toes'. or play 'Ring around the Rosie'.

I like to keep it positive - do fun active things and eat lots of fruits and veggies.

PS: I'm not perfect BMI 26. Once was 37%

[Deaconess]

As a mother of a preschooler, I think that a lot of parents do not have realistic expectations of how little their child needs to eat. Many mothers I know worry that their child does not eat enough, so they feed them high calorie, low nutrient foods because "thats all they will eat."
My son is thin (as has been all my family as children) and I don't worry because he is active, has a strong immune system, and is developing well. I limit his juice to one cup a day and give him healthy food choices for snacks. His favorite snacks are triscuits, vanilla yogurt, apple slices, avacado, and mandarin oranges. Sugary or high fat foods are occasional treats, not dietary staples.
I also think that a lot of parents do not realize how much fat and sodium are in Spaghettios, processed chicken nuggets, and other foods marketed to preschoolers. This is an area where pediatrician's offices could probably give better guidance.

[WhisperingEchos]

I'm a teenager! I'm 17 years old! I'm overweight! I know that there are so many risks when being overweight because i've dealt with it since I was 7! I have tried diet pills perscribed by a doctor! I play sports and drink water! I've had blood taken and there isn't anything wrong with me that way! They have this new thing about stress causing weight around your stomach! I am always stressed out over something! I have come to the conclusion that me being stressed most of the time has to play a huge part in being over weight! I do not eat snacks! I don't usually drink soda! I have more then 8 glasses of water a day! I drink it from a bottle and go through 6 bottles or more a day! I know that society has very high expectations on what you should look like.. but what happens when there isn't much more you can do?