by RYAN MILEJCZAK
Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care
It’s no secret that obesity is a major challenge throughout our country. Obesity can affect people of all ages, but perhaps most concerning is the growing prevalence of obesity in children. To learn more about this issue, we reached out to Central Florida Health Care’s Dr. Heather Wardy, a pediatrician with six years serving our community here in Central Florida.
Dr. Wardy explains that obesity in children is typically measured using the body mass index, which takes into consideration a child’s weight and height. A BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex is classified as obese.
“The prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents has increased significantly over the last decade,” she continues, “with about 20 percent of children and adolescents now classified as obese.”
While similar in nature, there are a few factors that set childhood obesity apart from adult obesity, such as the way it is measured. In adults, any BMI greater than 30 is considered obese.
Dr. Wardy says childhood obesity, on the other hand, is classified a little differently, using a percentile rather than a strict BMI number. She says it also differs from adult obesity in that the long-term effects and health consequences are starting younger, and so there’s a longer period for those to accumulate and cause health problems and consequences.
In addition, she says there’s often a large psychological impact on children with obesity.
In particular, Dr. Wardy says, “Children with obesity can face bullying, low self-esteem, and social isolation that can affect their mental health and emotional wellbeing.”
A variety of factors contribute to the development of obesity in children.
“Of course, dietary habits are a significant contributing factor — for example, increased consumption of high-calorie, low-nutrient foods and beverages, such as sugary drinks and fast food. Unfortunately, those are easily accessible to our children and teenagers,” she remarks. “There’s also physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors, such as excess screen time.”
With these contributing factors ever present, the fight against childhood obesity is an uphill battle. But there’s still plenty we can do.
In Dr. Wardy’s opinion, the first and main focus should be prevention.
“That really comes down to teaching children about nutrition and healthy eating habits,” she explains. “It’s really crucial for schools and parents to promote balanced diets that are rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. They should also be providing safe activities for children to engage in physical activity, like sports, recreational activities, and play.”
On a broader level, she says, fighting the obesity epidemic requires cooperation at all levels of society.
“Effective management of the obesity epidemic really does require a team approach,” she says. “There should be a concerted effort from families, schools, communities, and policymakers to help create a supportive environment that encourages healthy lifestyle choices and promotes wellbeing.”
For parents struggling to help their children manage their weight, Dr. Wardy had some words of advice.
“Family involvement is crucial. Engaging the entire family together in healthy lifestyle changes can foster a really supportive environment for kids. Families can participate in physical activities together, prepare meals together, and things like that,” she says.
“It’s important to take it one step at a time. Making small changes can have a significant impact over a long period and is more easily maintained than a drastic change in lifestyle.”
Dr. Wardy says Central Florida Health Care uses an individualized, team-based approach that involves its team of pediatricians, pediatric providers, dieticians, and mental health professionals to help children attain and maintain a healthy weight.
“We can work together to support each child and develop an individualized plan for meeting their dietary and nutrition goals.”
