Overweight is often used interchangeably with pre-obese and is generally defined as having more body fat than is optimally healthy. Being overweight is a common condition, especially where food supplies are plentiful and lifestyles are sedentary. As much as 64% of the United States adult population is considered either overweight or obese, and this percentage has increased over the last four decades.

The percentage of overweight/obese children is growing at an alarming rate. With today's technology children are spending more time indoors on the internet or playing video games or watching tv and not exercising enough.

According to statistics 10% of 2-5 year old are overweight and 15% of children between 6-19years are overweight.

Being overweight is when your body has too much body fat. Body Fat is usually measured as a Body Mass Index (BMI). If you want to calculate your child's BMI then find out what their weight is in kilograms and divide it by their height in meters squared.

For Boys: If more than 25% of TOTAL body weight is fat then he is classed as obese.

For Girls: It is slightly higher at 32%. This is because girls have a different body shape, and bodily functions.

Treat Overweight Children:

Reaching and maintaining an appropriate body weight is important. That's why recommendations that focus on small but permanent changes in eating may work better than a series of short-term changes that can't be sustained.

• Parents' involvement in modifying overweight children's behavior is important. Parents who model healthy eating and physical activity can positively influence their children's health.

• Limiting the number of calories that your child drinks. For example, many kids drink too much juice and soda each day. Sticking to the usual recommend limits of 4-6 ounces of 100% fruit juice for children under age 6 years and only 8-12 ounces for older children can help to limit excessive weight gain.

• Limiting the amount of milk that younger children drink. Although drinking milk is important and it is a good source of calcium, too much milk can lead to your child becoming overweight. Obesity often starts in early childhood, with a common scenario being a child who drinks too much milk. Children usually only need about 16-24 ounces of milk each day.

• Avoiding frequent meals of fast food.

• Don’t 'super size' your child's meals. A common problem that contributes to overweight children are meals with portions that are too large.

• Don’t force younger children to 'clean their plates.' An important way to help children learn to eat healthy is for them to know that they can stop eating when they are full.

• Encourage regular exercise and physical activity in your children each day. This may include going for walks as a family, playing outside, riding a bike, or participating in organized sports, like soccer and baseball.

• Limit inactivity by setting strict limits on watching television and playing computer and video games.

• Avoiding allowing your children eat while watching TV. Instead, limit meals to the dinner table.

• Don’t put too much of a focus on what your child eats. Remember not too restrict calories and instead, offer a healthy diet with 3 healthy meals (don't skip meals, especially breakfast) and a few snacks, and allow occasional treats. Talking to your child too much about calories, fat and dieting can actually cause more harm than good, leading to eating disorders.

• Know what your child is eating and where his calories are coming from.

Read About Fast Weight Loss also Read about Obesity in Adults and Overweight Children

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