Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is complex. It can be inherited (genetic) or a side effect of another health condition. But social, cultural and lifestyle factors can also contribute to obesity. The kind of food your child eats. How active they are each day at home or school. Their friends and social support system. Even exposure to advertising for fast food restaurants and unhealthy foods and drinks can all have an impact.

Kids having obesity run a higher lifelong risk of health conditions like:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Insulin resistance
• Asthma
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Sleep disorders
• Bone and joint problems
• Nonalcohol-related fatty liver disease
• Depression

Having obesity can be hard, mentally and physically. Some people don’t understand that having obesity is a medical condition. And this can negatively (and unfairly) affect your child’s well-being. They may experience bullying, social isolation and low self-esteem about their body image.

That’s why starting treatment and building good habits early is so important. Our team is here to make sure your child’s care meets their needs and goals. And puts them on track for lifelong success.

What to expect at your child’s first visit

When you and your child meet their provider for the first time, they’ll ask many questions to get to know your child. This helps our team understand important things about your child’s life before creating a treatment plan. Their provider may ask:

• What kind of foods does your child eat?
• How often does your child eat?
• How active is your child?
• How is your child’s school life?
• Does your child have any health conditions?

Your child’s provider will also do a physical exam. And they’ll measure your child’s height and weight to learn their body mass index (BMI). BMI gives us an idea of how much body fat your child may have.

Tests your child may have

Your child’s provider may order blood work or imaging tests. These tests may uncover any genetic conditions or hormonal imbalances that may contribute to childhood obesity.

You can also expect to do a nutrition evaluation. This means you’ll track all the details of what, when and how your child eats for 24 hours. Or if they have any behaviors like food sneaking or emotional eating. Our team will also take a close look at your child’s physical fitness. We’ll test their strength and endurance. You and your child will also learn more about healthy eating during these visits. And we’ll talk about the importance of regular exercise.

Setting treatment goals

Before we craft a treatment plan, we help you and your child develop manageable goals. Our behavioral and mental health experts will share their recommendations. And they’ll offer personalized ideas for moving forward. Our entire team wants you and your child to feel ready to take charge of their health. And understand what success will look like for your child.

Meet Our Childhood Obesity Team

When your child comes to Cleveland Clinic Children’s, they’ll have a team of providers built around their needs. They may see:

• Pediatricians
• Pediatric endocrinologists
• Pediatric cardiologists
• Pediatric sleep medicine specialists
• Pediatric dietitians
• Pediatric physical therapists
• Child psychologists
• Child life specialists
• Pediatric social workers

Treating childhood obesity isn’t a quick solution. But you can rest easy knowing we keep your child’s and your family’s specific needs at the center of all we do. We’ll also adjust treatment when and if those needs change.

Intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment

Making healthy changes is a big part of your child’s treatment. We often use intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment (IHBLT). It can help your child adopt new ways to eat, move and think. And it involves your whole family. You and your child will learn about healthy eating, exercise and behavior changes.

Your child’s care in the Be Well Clinic can last from three months to several years. We’ll build a care plan focused on nutrition, physical activity and mental health. Your child will also have regular visits with their care team.

Medications

Medications are available to treat childhood obesity for kids age 12 and above. They can help with the hormone that controls your child’s appetite. Talk with your child’s care team to see if medications are a treatment option.

Adolescent weight loss surgery

Sometimes, a lifestyle program like IHBLT may not be enough to lower a teenager’s body mass. If they have a high BMI and/or a serious health condition, your child may qualify for weight loss (bariatric) surgery. Their care team will share what you need to know about this treatment. They’ll go over the benefits, risks and what to expect during surgery.

Taking the Next Step

It can be hard to talk with your child about having obesity. And making the big changes that come with treatment. Change can be stressful and challenging. But it’s important to connect early — with love and support, not judgement.

Cleveland Clinic Children’s expert and compassionate team will guide your child (and your family) through treatment. We’ll show you how to focus on your child’s health, not their weight. This can help your child feel more comfortable and confident about making changes for a healthier, more active life — now and into the future.