Is my child overweight or obese?

If you are concerned that your child is overweight or obese, it is important to visit your family doctor. Healthy weight in children varies by age, sex and height. Your family doctor can assess whether your child's weight is in a healthy range.

One tool your family doctor will use to assess whether your child is overweight or obese is to measure his or her body mass index (BMI). Body mass index is an indirect indicator of body fat. It is a measurement based on height and weight that tells if a child or adult is in a healthy range compared to his or her peers. The Canadian Medical Association recommends that physicians calculate BMI in children 2 years and up. You can calculate your child's BMI by linking with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

In children and adolescents, the cut off for overweight and obese varies with age. A growth chart is used to correctly interpret a child's BMI. After you have calculated your child's BMI, just click the on the link above and scroll down to "How is BMI interpreted for children and teens". There you will find growth charts for boys and girls.

A couple of notes regarding calculating obesity using the above website:

• The US Centre for Disease Control website uses slightly different terminology - they don't use the term obese. Instead they classify above the 95 line as overweight. Between the 85 and 95 line they classify as at risk for overweight.
• Please note: If your child's BMI plots between the 85 and 95 lines your child is overweight. If the BMI plots above the 95 line then your child is classified as obese.

If your child's BMI is in the normal range, and you still have concerns about your child’s weight we recommend that you visit your family doctor.

If you have calculated your child's BMI and it is in the overweight or obese range, it is recommended that you visit your family doctor. Your family doctor can offer advice or refer you to a paediatrician with expertise in the area of childhood obesity. In some cases a referral to a childhood obesity treatment program such as the Shapedown Program at BC Children's Hospital may be necessary.

For more about how you can help your child, please read the Families section of this website.