In recent years, the obesity rate among children and adolescents in China has increased year by year, which has become one of the serious public health problems. Obesity is also a kind of nutritional imbalance, which is formed by the body in a long-term nutritional imbalance, which will not only hinder the growth and development of children and adolescents, affect physiological functions, but also may bring health problems such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes.
Childhood obesity is most likely caused by eating too much and moving less. When children consume more energy than they consume from their daily activities, this excess energy can be turned into fat accumulation, leading to obesity. But don't worry, we can detect and control obesity early through regular screening.
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How to screen for obesity
1. Measure height and weight: Height and weight are the basic indicators to judge whether children are obese. By calculating BMI (body mass index), that is, dividing weight (kg) by height (m) squared, and then using the cut-off values of the child's age group and gender in Table 1, we can determine the obesity status of children. For example, a 7-year-old girl with a height of 125cm and a weight of 30kg has a BMI of 19.2, which exceeds the BMI cut-off value of 18.5 for a 7-year-old girl, then she is defined as obese.
2. Measure waist circumference: Waist circumference can reflect the fat accumulation status of children's waist and abdomen, and can also be used to assess whether children have central obesity. For children and adolescents aged 7 years and older, it can be judged according to the criteria in Table 2. When a child's waist circumference is greater than or equal to the P90 waist circumference value for the appropriate age and sex in the table, it is considered to be high waist circumference and central obesity may be present.
3. Body composition analysis: Body composition analysis refers to the measurement of body fat content, body fat percentage, lean body mass and other indicators through professional equipment, so as to more comprehensively and accurately assess the nutritional status of children. Although there is no specific standard for children's body composition in mainland China, it is also possible to understand the occurrence and change of childhood obesity by observing the before and after changes in body fat percentage, which is helpful for developing a personalized weight management plan.
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How often to be screened
Regularly measuring children's height, weight, waist circumference and other indicators can not only detect obesity in time, but also adjust children's lifestyles according to the screening results to prevent the further development of obesity problems.
It is recommended that parents measure their children's height and weight every 1~3 months and learn how to screen for obesity with BMI. If you find that your child is gaining too much weight, you should consult a doctor or dietitian for professional advice. For children who are already obese, parents can measure their height and weight monthly or weekly, and carry out personalized weight management under the guidance of a doctor or dietitian.
In addition to home screening, schools can also organize regular physical examinations for students, measure indicators such as height, weight and waist circumference, and maintain close communication with parents to pay attention to the health of students.
Source: China Center for Disease Control and Prevention