When Should I Be Concerned About My Child's Weight?

As a parent, you may have wondered when you should be concerned about your child's weight. We don't have a magic number for that, but doctors often compare a child's height and weight to determine future risk for medical problems. They plot these factors on a growth chart to track a child's body mass index (BMI) percentile.

Yearly visits with your child's pediatrician or primary care clinician allow you to review these numbers and growth charts with them, tracking your child's trends over time.

Warning Signs for a Child's Weight Gain

If your child hasn't had a visit with a clinician recently or isn't due for one soon, here are some signs that indicate it might be time to set up an appointment:

• Weight gain due to new medications
• Pain with exercise
• Difficulty keeping up with peers during recess or gym class
• Missing age-related benchmarks not related to any other medical condition
• Bullying related to weight
• Breathing problems at night, snoring or restless sleep
• Shortness of breath during everyday activities
• Changes in eating behavior, such as hiding or sneaking food
• Rapid weight gain without any obvious reason
• Child's concern about weight or interest in "dieting"

Your child's health involves more than just weight-related numbers. Schedule regular check-ups with a clinician, monitor for unusual signs or symptoms and focus on healthy lifestyle habits to help ensure your child's well-being. If you have concerns or need guidance, don't hesitate to reach out to your child's health care team or a Pediatric Weight Management program.