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Living with obesity

Will my child grow out of it? Understanding obesity in children

Should I be concerned about my child’s weight, or is it just a passing phase? If you find yourself asking these questions, you may be interested to understand more about childhood obesity, and what it could mean for your child. This article offers guidance on how to support your child's well-being, both now and for years to come.

5 min. read
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A growing problem: Why children's weight matters

As parents or caregivers, we all want what’s best for our children. We want them to be happy and healthy both physically and mentally, especially during their formative years.

That is why, with an estimated 160 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 years living with obesity in 2022, childhood obesity is a key concern. While some might believe these are simply growing pains, and children will naturally "grow out of it," the reality might be far more complex. Excess weight can often persist with around 55% of children with obesity carrying it into their adolescence and 80% going on to live with obesity in adulthood.

Contrary to popular belief, obesity is not always recognisable. In fact, 1 in 3 caregivers do not realise that their child classifies as living with obesity highlighting the big misalignment in perception of obesity vs reality.

The physical, mental and social impact of childhood obesity

Unfortunately, there are many challenges that children may have to live with because of this disease. These can include problems with joints, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol. Obesity can also impact the emotional and social wellbeing of a child leading to difficulties with mental health.

The impact doesn’t stop in childhood and can be carried well into adulthood. For example, health issues and social struggles experienced at school can continue into professional life, leading to workplace discrimination. This highlights how taking care of your child’s well-being today can set them up for a better future.

As a parent or caregiver of a child living with obesity, you may encounter stigma. But remember, there are ways to bring about positive changes in your child's life. Start by becoming their ally and learning more about the disease—this could be a crucial first step. If you would like to learn more about supporting people living with obesity click here.

How can we turn the tide on childhood obesity?

Recognising it early and getting help from healthcare professionals can significantly alter the outcome of childhood obesity. Doctors may recommend various weight management options, tailored to your child’s specific needs and routine.

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Caregivers can play an important role in this process by setting a positive example, promoting sustainable eating and sleeping patterns, encouraging physical activity, and creating a loving and supportive environment. This, combined with professional guidance, can help children to live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Feel more ready to have a conversation about weight with your teenager? Find out more about how you can prepare.

References:
  1. WHO (2024). Obesity and overweight. [online] World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight.
  2. Simmonds, M., Llewellyn, A., Owen, C.G. and Woolacott, N. (2016). Predicting Adult Obesity from Childhood Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Obesity Reviews, 17(2), pp.95–107.
  3. Halford, J.C.G., Bereket, A., Bin-Abbas, B., Chen, W., Fernández-Aranda, F., Garibay Nieto, N., López Siguero, J.P., Maffeis, C., Mooney, V., Osorto, C.K., Reynoso, R., Rhie, Y.-J., Toro- Ramos, M. and Baur, L.A. (2022). Misalignment among adolescents living with obesity, caregivers, and healthcare professionals: ACTION Teens global survey study. Pediatric Obesity, [online] 17(11), p.e12957. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/ijpo.12957.
  4. Mayo Clinic (2020). Childhood obesity - symptoms and causes. [online] Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhoodobesity/ symptoms-causes/syc-20354827.
  5. Sahoo, K., Sahoo, B., Choudhury, A.K., Sofi, N.Y., Kumar, R. and Bhadoria, A.S. (2015). Childhood obesity: Causes and Consequences. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, [online] 4(2), p.187. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/2249-4863.154628.
  6. Schwimmer, J.B., Burwinkle, T.M. and Varni, J.W. (2003). Health-related quality of life of severely obese children and adolescents. JAMA, [online] 289(14), pp.1813–9. doi:https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.289.14.1813.
  7. Haqq AM, Kebbe M, Tan Q, Manco M, Salas XR. Complexity and Stigma of Pediatric Obesity. Child Obes. 2021 Jun;17(4):229-240. doi: 10.1089/chi.2021.0003. Epub 2021 Mar 29. PMID: 33780639; PMCID: PMC8147499.
  8. World Obesity Federation (2018). Weight Stigma | World Obesity Federation. [online] World Obesity Federation. Available at: https://www.worldobesity.org/what-we-do/our-policy-priorities/weight-stigma.
  9. Zacher, H. and von Hippel, C. (2021). Weight-based stereotype threat in the workplace: consequences for employees with overweight or obesity. International Journal of Obesity. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-021-01052-5.

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