Childhood Obesity

Is Heavy a Hereditary or Genetic Problem?

Is Heavy a Hereditary or Genetic Problem?

My husband and I, along with our parents, are heavy. Is this a hereditary or genetic problem? Undoubtedly, an element of genetic inheritance is involved in excess weight. In fact, two syndromes are clearly genetic:...

Epidemic of Obesity in the United States

Epidemic of Obesity in the United States

I’ve heard people say that there is an “epidemic” of obesity. What does that mean? How bad is the problem in the United States? The World Health Organization has noted that there are 1 billion...

How Much Body Fat Should My Child Have, And What Is Normal?

Broadly speaking, two types of body fat exist: essential fat and storage fat. The body cannot be “fat free.” Fat is a normal, necessary component of cells. Cholesterol and triglycerides, for example, are lipids that...

What is “Morbid Obesity?”

Several other terms are used in the medical literature to define and classify excess weight. They have not been fully standardized. They revolve around the BMI and are included in Table. Terms used to define...

My Son’s BMI Is 19.8. What Does This Mean?

Here is how to interpret the BMI: Underweight =< 18.5 Normal weight = 18.5–24.9 Overweight = 25–29.9 Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater This means that your son has a normal (healthy) weight for...

What Does It Mean If My Child Has A Large Waist Size?

I heard that waist circumference is important. What does it mean if my child has a large waist size? Excessive abdominal (stomach, belly) fat has a worse health prognosis than fat distributed elsewhere on the...