Obesity is defined as an excessively high amount of body fat in relation to lean body mass (muscles, bones, etc). Both the amount of fat and its distribution throughout the body need to be taken into account. Body fat distribution can be estimated by skinfold measures, waist-to-hip circumference ratios, or other techniques.
How is childhood obesity measured?
BMI is used as a screening tool to identify possible weight problems for children. BMI stands for Body Mass Index; it is a number that shows body weight adjusted for height. For children and adolescents, BMI is also determined by age and gender because their bodies change as they grow.
| Weight Status Category | Percentile Range |
|---|---|
| Underweight | Less than the 5th percentile |
| Healthy weight | 5th percentile to less than the 85th percentile |
| Overweight | 85th to less than the 95th percentile |
| Obese | Equal to or greater than the 95th percentile |
What factors contribute to obesity?
There are several categories that contribute to childhood obesity:
Lifestyle: Amount of sedentary activities engaged in, food choices, etc.
Genetics: Genes that make your more prone to gain weight.
Environment: High density of fast food restaurants, unhealthy food options available, cost of healthy foods vs. unhealthy foods.
Culture: Religious, social, governmental practices and norms.
What are some ways to become more physically active?
There are many ways to increase levels of physical activity; they can be as simple and short or as hard and long as you want. Even small things like dancing in your kitchen while making dinner, using the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator, and parking farther away will increase physical activity. Below are some ideas of organized physical activities:
For more ideas visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
| Examples of moderate amounts of physical activity | ||
| Common Chores Washing and waxing a car for 45-60 minutes Washing windows or floors for 45-60 minutes Gardening for 30-45 minutes Wheeling self in wheelchair 30-40 minutes Pushing a stroller 1½ miles in 30 minutes Raking leaves for 30 minutes Walking 2 miles in 30 minutes (15min/mile) Shoveling snow for 15 minutes Stairwalking for 15 minutes | Sporting Activities Playing volleyball for 45-60 minutes Playing touch football for 45 minutes Walking 1¾ miles in 35 minutes (20min/mile) Basketball (shooting baskets) 30 minutes Bicycling 5 miles in 30 minutes Dancing fast (social) for 30 minutes Water aerobics for 30 minutes Swimming laps for 20 minutes Basketball (playing game) for 15-20 minutes Bicycling 4 miles in 15 minutes Jumping rope for 15 minutes Running 1½ miles in 15 min. (10min/mile) | Less Vigorous, More Time  More Vigorous, Less Time |
information retrieved from CDC and Minnesota Department of Health
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