Description
Obesity means weighing too much for a given height. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses the Body Mass Index or BMI to determine overweight and obesity. The BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. To check your child’s BMI, click visit this
link. For children and teenagers, the BMI is particular for both age and gender. The CDC defines obesity as having a BMI in the 95
th percentile or greater. This means that the BMI is greater than 95% of children who are the same age and gender.
In the past 30 years, the number of obese adolescents in the United States has tripled. The number of obese children has doubled. Children who are obese when very young are much more likely to be obese or overweight as adults.
Causes
The CDC suggests several possible causes for obesity in children. Some of these are the following:
- High-calorie, low-nutrient foods & drinks
- Not enough physical activity
- Sedentary activities (too much television and screen time)
- Sleep routines
- Environments that do not support healthy habits
- Diseases or other medical problems
Effects on Bone, Joint, & Muscle Health
Obesity can have a harmful effect on the musculoskeletal system. Obese children are at risk for several orthoapedic conditions.
Blount’s Disease:
Blount’s disease is a severe bowing of the legs. This can happen both in young children and in adolescents. It is much more likely in children who are obese or overweight. In young children or mild cases, this may sometimes be treated with braces or may get better on its own. In more severe cases, surgery may be needed. The legs may need to be straightened by using a plate and screws or an external fixator.
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis:
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis or SCFE is a condition in which the top part of the femur (the the ball in the ball-and-socket joint of the hip) slips, through its growth plate, off the rest of the femur. SCFE is more common in obese and overweight children. SCFE requires surgery, usually by placing a screw to hold the hip ball in place.
Flat Feet:
Children who are obese may be more likely to have flat feet. Flat feet usually do not hurt and do not need treatment. Some flat feet can be painful, especially when the Achilles tendon (or heel cord) is tight.
Other Complications:
Children who are overweight or obese may have problems when needing care for other orthopaedic problems. Crutches may be more difficult to use. Casts may not fit or hold the bones as well. If this happens, surgery may be needed to treat a fracture in an obese child. The same fracture might be able to be treated in a cast in a patient who is not obese. Overweight or obese children may be more likely to get a fracture if they fall. Regular implants may not be strong enough to hold broken bones or correct deformities. Finally, children who are obese tend to have more complications with anesthesia.
Prevention
For most kids, 2 simple things
every day can help to maintain a healthy weight with strong bones.
- A varied, healthy diet with plenty of calcium and other nutrients
- At least 30-60 minutes of physical activity and exercise
More Information:
Q: What is obesity?
Obesity means weighing too much for a given height. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses the Body Mass Index or BMI to determine overweight and obesity. The BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. For children and teenagers, the BMI is specific to both age and sex. The CDC defines obesity as having a BMI in the 95
th percentile or greater. An obese child has a BMI greater than 95% of children who are the same age and sex.
Q: How do I check my child’s BMI?
Q: Is obesity common?
Unfortunately, obesity in America is very common. Over the past 30 years, the number of obese adolescents in the United States has tripled. The number of obese children has doubled. About one in eight children ages 2 to 5 in the U.S. are obese.
Q: Won’t my kid just grow out of being obese?
It is unlikely that your child will grow out of being obese without making some changes to diet or activity. Children who are overweight or obese when they are very young are five times more likely to be overweight or obese as adults.
Q: Why does obesity happen?
The CDC suggests several possible causes for obesity in children. Some of these are:
- High-calorie, low-nutrient foods & drinks
- Not enough physical activity
- Sedentary activities (television and screen time)
- Poor sleep routines
- Environment that does not support healthy habits
- Diseases or other medical conditions
Q: Will obesity affect my child’s bones?
Obesity can have a harmful effect on the bones and muscles. Obese children are especially at risk for several orthoapedic conditions, such as Blount’s Disease, Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis, and flat feet.
Q: Why are bone doctors so worried about obesity?
Children who are overweight or obese may have problems when needing care for other orthopaedic problems. Crutches may be more difficult to use. Casts may not fit or hold the bones as well. Sometimes in obese children, surgery is needed to fix broken bones instead of a cast. Regular implants may not be strong enough to hold broken bones or correct deformities. Finally, children who are obese tend to have more complications with anesthesia.
Q: What should I do to keep my child healthy?
A healthy diet and exercise every day will keep most children at a healthy weight with strong bones! Children should eat healthy foods with plenty of calcium and other nutrients. Children should also have at least 30-60 minutes of activity or exercise every day.
Q: Is surgery needed?
In some extreme cases, surgery may be needed to help to reduce weight. This is not common.
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