CDC Updates Tool to Aid Childhood Obesity Treatment
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has introduced broader growth charts to assist in the treatment of children with severe obesity. Childhood obesity is a significant and escalating issue in the United States, affecting nearly 20% of children and adolescents aged 2 to 19. The CDC’s new BMI charts aim to combat this epidemic and promote comprehensive care for affected individuals.
Key Points:
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New BMI Charts for Severe Obesity: The CDC has released updated BMI charts to aid in the treatment of children with severe obesity. The previous charts did not adequately account for the growing number of children facing severe obesity.
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Childhood Obesity Epidemic: Childhood obesity affects approximately 20% (14.7 million) of children and adolescents in the United States aged 2 to 19. It is associated with various health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, and joint issues.
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Defining Obesity: The CDC defines a child as obese if their body mass index (BMI) exceeds that of 95% of children of the same age and gender. Severe obesity is identified when a child’s BMI is more than 120 points above the 95th percentile.
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Comprehensive Care Plans: The CDC encourages healthcare providers to collaborate with families and develop comprehensive care plans utilizing the new BMI charts. Family Healthy Weight Programs, which include evidence-based behavioral treatment programs for overweight children, are recommended.
Examples of such programs include:
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COMMIT! (Childhood Obesity Management with MEND Implementation Teams): This program provides counseling on healthy eating, exercise, behavior modification, and skill development for at least 26 hours, emphasizing involvement from the entire family.
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Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration Projects (CORD): These programs aim to reduce childhood obesity in low-income areas with diverse ethnicities by implementing effective preventative and treatment measures. They are commonly promoted in preschools, elementary schools, and community centers.
Conclusion:
The CDC’s introduction of extended BMI charts for children with severe obesity underscores the importance of addressing this widespread issue. Healthcare providers are urged to utilize the new charts as a tool in their treatment of childhood obesity, emphasizing early intervention for improved long-term health outcomes.
Source: This article was originally published and is authored by Jasper Joyner.
Use a BMI Chart or Body Mass Index Chart to find your healthy weight.
The BMI formula is used for men, women and children. For children there are other BMI values than for adults. For adults the Body Mass Index is based on your weight and height and it tells you whether you have a healthy body weight.
BMI calculator
A BMI (body mass index) calculator is a tool that helps individuals determine their overall body mass index, which is a measure of body fat based on a person's weight and height. BMI is an important factor in assessing an individual's health and can be used as a screening tool to identify potential weight-related health problems.
BMI chart
A BMI chart is a useful tool for individuals to quickly and easily assess their body mass index (BMI) score, which is a measure of body fat based on their weight and height. Using a BMI chart can help individuals determine if they are in a healthy weight range or if they may be at risk for weight-related health problems.
Using a BMI chart is an easy way to assess your weight status.
By simply entering your height and weight into the calculator or looking up your height and weight on the chart, you can determine your BMI score and see which weight category you fall into.
