Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


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Overweight Children and Adolescents: Recommendations to Screen, Assess and Manage


 

 

 

 



Introduction

Disclaimer: CDC has not established guidelines for the management of overweight in children and adolescents. This module provides recommendations that represent the consensus of a group of experts who manage overweight children and adolescents and that are derived from evidenced-based research when available.

In recent decades the prevalence of overweight among children and adolescents has risen dramatically. As overweight becomes more common among children and adolescents, the associated chronic conditions and illnesses once prevalent only among adults begin to emerge in the pediatric population. Consequently, public health practitioners are focusing increased attention on preventing and managing overweight in childhood and adolescence.

To prevent and manage overweight in children and adolescents, those at risk of overweight or overweight must be correctly identified. Body Mass Index (BMI)-for-age growth charts for boys and girls aged 2 to 20 years are recommended for this purpose. The use of these charts to identify children and adolescents who are overweight and at risk of overweight is the focus of this module.


Objectives

Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

 Bullet Understand the definitions used to classify children and adolescents as overweight or at risk of overweight

 Bullet Describe the medical consequences of overweight in children and adolescents

 Bullet Use the CDC Growth Charts to plot anthropometric measurements


Table of Contents for this Module and Printable Version of this Module

Estimated Time Needed to Complete the Module

To read through text and review examples: 30-45 minutes


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