Obesity is weighing more than is healthy for your age & height. Obesity in children is measured by their body mass index (BMI). When a child’s BMI is at or above the 95th percentile for children of their age and height, they are obese.

Obesity is becoming a more common health concern in children. It can lead to health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Children who are obese may also be at risk for low self-esteem, bullying and depression.

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What are the signs and symptoms of obesity?

You may not be able to tell if your child is obese by looking at them. Children grow at different rates and have different sized frames. The best way to know if your child is obese, or at risk of becoming obese, is to talk with their doctor.

What causes obesity?

In most cases, obesity is caused by taking in many more calories than are used in physical activities. Children and teens who consume a lot of fast foods, baked goods, sugary drinks and unhealthy snacks may be at a higher risk for obesity. Being inactive also puts them at higher risk.

Other things that can increase a child’s risk for obesity include:

  • A family history of being overweight or obese
  • Taking certain medications
  • Hormonal issues

How is obesity treated?

Treatment for obesity is based on your child’s age, weight and whether they are having medical problems because of their weight. Treatment may include surgical or non-surgical options. Doctors at Connecticut Children’s can determine the right plan if your child requires treatment for obesity.

In most cases, the first step in treating obesity is making changes in diet and exercise habits. These may include:

  • Making changes to your child’s diet, such as limiting sweetened drinks and fast food and cutting back on portion sizes
  • Limiting time sitting in front of the TV or computer
  • Starting an exercise program or getting more activity
  • Taking medicines as part of a weight-loss program

Our experienced surgeons at Connecticut Children’s offer three types of weight loss surgery, called bariatric surgery, for obese teens. Our team will work with your family to help you choose the best surgical option for your child. All weight loss surgeries are performed using a few small incisions on the stomach. This is called laparoscopic surgery.

  • Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a surgery that removes about 80% of the stomach using small incisions. The new stomach holds less food and liquid, reducing the appetite.
  • Laparoscopic gastric bypass is a surgery that also decreases the size of the stomach. But in this surgery, the way that food is digested is changed. The smaller stomach pouch is attached to the middle of the small intestine, so food bypasses the larger part of the stomach and upper part of the small intestine as it gets digested.
  • Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is a surgery that places a band made of silicone around the top part of the stomach. The size of the band can then be adjusted with injections of fluid through a port placed under the skin. The band can also be removed later if needed. This surgery is also done using small incisions.