Obesity means your child has too much body fat for their age and height. It’s a growing health concern for both kids and adults across the country.

We use body mass index (BMI) to help measure whether your child is at a healthy weight. Most kids should fall between the 5th and 85th percentile. A child is overweight if their weight is at or above the 85th percentile on the CDC growth chart. A child is obese if they are at or above the 95th percentile.

Obesity can start as early as age five and is often diagnosed around age 10. More than one in five kids in the United States now live with obesity. Many parents don’t realize when their child is obese, so regular checkups are important.

Obesity is complex. Many factors are at play, including:

• Genetics
• Hormones
• Medicines
• Diet
• Sleep
• Emotions
• Activity level

People gain weight when they take in more calories than they burn. This often happens when kids eat large portions, sugary drinks, frequent snacks and meals outside the home. Less physical activity, more screen time and limited access to outdoor play also play a role.

Extra weight can lead to both physical and emotional health issues. Your child may face teasing or feel anxious, depressed or isolated. Some kids begin to overeat in response, which can make things worse. These struggles can affect their schoolwork and self-esteem.

Extra weight can affect many parts of a child’s body, not just their size. We treat many health problems linked to obesity. We work with families to support long-term wellness.

• Obesity can lead to heart and blood problems, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.
• Some kids with obesity may have breathing and brain issues. These can include severe asthma, snoring during sleep and pressure inside the head.
• Obesity can cause hormone problems like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which may affect periods or hair growth.
• Extra weight may put stress on the body and lead to joint and bone pain, especially in the hips, knees or back.
• Kids with obesity may have mental health concerns. These include anxiety, depression and trouble with overeating.
• Some kids get a skin condition called acanthosis nigricans, which causes dark, thick skin on the neck or joints.

Obese teens are more likely to become obese adults. That raises the risk for heart disease, cancer, infertility and joint problems later in life. But with the right support, your child can learn habits that lead to a healthier future.

Nationally ranked: U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks our GI Program as among the nation’s best. We provide the best possible care for GI symptoms in kids. Our team of experts can help you and your family manage health issues that affect digestion.

Surgical weight loss support: For teens who meet certain criteria, our team may recommend bariatric surgery as part of a long-term plan. We work closely with the Children’s Wisconsin Bariatric Surgery Program. We make sure your child is fully prepared before and supported after surgery.

Support for healthy habits: We offer two expert-led programs to help your child build lasting lifestyle changes. The Lifestyle Medicine Collaborative Clinic and the NEW Kids™ Program focus on nutrition, exercise, sleep and emotional well-being.

Expert clinical care: Our pediatric GI team is well known as one of the largest and most well-rounded in the country. Our experts diagnose and treat digestive health issues of all kinds. Our care teams bring together the skills of experts across many areas.

Focus on kids: We know that kids need different care than adults. Our team at Children’s Wisconsin has expertise in managing diverse GI issues in infants, kids and teens. We take a whole-child approach to care. We’re always thinking about your child’s growth, physical and emotional development and age-related social issues.

Education and emotional support: We support your family at every stage of care. We teach you about your child’s digestive issues and explain what to expect. Our care team works with you and your family to manage the physical and emotional impacts of GI disease.

At Children’s Wisconsin, we know that managing obesity or fatty liver disease takes time, support and teamwork. Our expert team includes pediatric specialists in:

• Digestive care
• Liver disease
• Nutrition
• Psychology
• Surgery

Before

If your child is overweight or obese, the doctor may screen for related health concerns. We’ll start with a full evaluation, which may include:

• Growth chart review (height, weight and BMI)
• Blood tests to check liver function and other markers
• Imaging tests such as ultrasound or FibroScan
• They may do a liver biopsy in rare cases, if we need more information

Our team will also talk with you about your child’s:

• Eating habits
• Activity levels
• Sleep patterns
• Emotional well-being

If your child is overweight or obese with some altered blood tests, your doctor may refer them to the NEW Kids Program. If they have obesity with other health issues, we may refer you to a pediatric obesity specialist or the Lifestyle Medicine Collaborative Clinic.

Every child is different. We’ll partner with your family to build healthy routines and provide tools that support long-term wellness.

A registered dietitian will help you create balanced meal routines. We’ll work with you on physical activity goals and emotional support.

During

We will work closely with your family to carry out your child’s care plan and adjust as needed. Many families start with the 4-3-2-1-0 approach:

• 4 family meals each week
• 3 meals each day
• Less than 2 hours of screen time per day
• At least 1 hour of physical activity per day
• 0 sugary drinks or high-calorie snacks

We’ll meet every 3 to 6 months to check your child’s weight, labs and liver health. If your child stays on track with the plan, it may slow or even reverse liver damage.

If your child has tried healthy habits for six months without results, we may discuss weight-loss medicine or bariatric surgery. These options depend on your child’s age, overall health and insurance coverage.

After

Your child will still need ongoing care to stay healthy. Obesity and fatty liver disease are serious, but treatable. Reaching and keeping a healthy weight can reduce the risk of long-term health problems. We’ll be here to support your family every step of the way.

If untreated, obese kids usually grow into obese adults. Left untreated, fatty liver disease can continue to progress, damaging the liver.

But kids who are able to reach a healthier weight can go on to live normal and healthy lives, though they may always need to monitor their weight closely.

Seeking help is the first step. Taking care of your body is an investment in your future.