Child Weight Management in Rockville, MD
What is Child Weight Management?
Child weight management involves your child, you, and the pediatrician working together to help your child achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
How To Know if Your Child Is Underweight
Your child is underweight if your child is in the bottom 5th percentile for weight compared to height in children of the same age group. One easy way to tell if your child is underweight is to check how clothing fits your child. If your child isn’t outgrowing their clothing, it could be a problem. Your child may also be underweight if you can see your child’s ribs.
If your child is an infant, a condition known as failure to thrive may be diagnosed by your child’s pediatrician. The pediatrician will provide a complete evaluation to determine if growth, development, and functioning are impaired.
How To Help Your Child Gain Weight
When your child is underweight, it’s important to have your child:
- Eat at specific mealtimes so your child has time to get hungry between meals
- Avoid snacking, which can fill up your child with empty calories
- Eat at the table, and not while watching TV or being on a computer
- Avoid juices, sodas, and other beverages that can keep your child from eating proteins and fats
- Eat more healthy fats from nuts, and healthy oils
Why Your Child Might Be Overweight
There are many factors contributing to weight gain in children. Snacking on chips, sodas, and candy, lack of exercise due to excessive time on a computer or watching TV, and dining on fast food all contribute to weight gain.
Health Consequences of Being Overweight
Being overweight contributes to other medical issues, especially as your child grows. Your child may have breathing problems, joint issues, fatigue, and other concerns, which can all contribute to additional weight gain. Your child may also develop depression and anxiety from being overweight.
How Your Pediatrician Can Help With Weight Management
Dr. Douglas does NOT prescribe weight management medications. Instead, he will focus on lifestyle and dietary modifications to help your child achieve and maintain a healthy weight. At your child’s appointment, he will:
- Record your child’s height and weight
- Review your child’s medical history
- Order any necessary laboratory testing
- Identify behavioral changes your child needs to make to achieve and maintain a healthy weight
- Make a referral to a dietitian for help with meal planning and other issues