What is obesity?

Obesity means having too much body fat. It is different from being overweight, which means weighing too much. Both terms mean that a person's weight is greater than what is considered healthy for his or her height. Children grow at different rates, so it isn't always easy to know when a child is obese or overweight. Ask your doctor to measure your child's height and weight to determine if he or she is in a healthy range.

If a weight-loss program is necessary, involve the whole family in healthy habits so your child doesn't feel singled out. You can encourage healthy eating by:

• Serving more fruits and vegetables
• Buying fewer sodas and high-calorie, high-fat snack foods
• Physical activity can also help your child overcome being overweight or obese. Kids need about 60 minutes of physical activity each day.