Is my child overweight?

This cannot be decided by looking at the number of kilograms alone. Height, age, sex and BMI percentile should be assessed together.

What is the difference between overweight and obesity in children?

In general, a BMI between the 85th and 95th percentile is considered overweight, and the 95th percentile and above is considered obesity.

Genetic predisposition is important, but nutrition, physical activity, sleep and environmental factors also play a role together.

Can a hormone disorder be the cause of obesity in children?

It can be, but in most children with obesity the underlying cause is not a hormonal disease. Slowing of height growth alongside weight gain in particular may require further assessment.

My child is heavy but also tall. Is there a problem?

Being tall does not on its own rule out excess weight. BMI should be assessed according to age and sex.

Does obesity cause insulin resistance in children?

Obesity can increase the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in some children, but not every child with obesity has insulin resistance.

Does obesity cause fatty liver in children?

Obesity is one of the important risk factors for fatty liver disease in childhood.

Should a child with obesity be put on a diet?

The aim is not to leave the child hungry or to make them lose weight quickly. Nutrition, physical activity, sleep and family habits are adjusted in a way that suits the child's growth.

Is it right for children to lose weight?

The goal varies with age and the severity of obesity. In some children, slowing weight gain while height growth continues may be more appropriate than losing weight.

Which blood tests are done for obesity in children?

The necessary tests are determined by the child's age and risks. Tests such as blood sugar metabolism, lipid profile and liver function may be assessed in some children.

Is a thyroid test needed for obesity in children?

Not every child with obesity has thyroid disease. Whether a thyroid test is needed is assessed according to the growth pattern and other clinical findings.

Do sugary drinks make children gain weight?

Drinking them regularly and in large amounts can contribute to unnecessary energy intake. The main daily drink should be water.

Does fruit juice cause weight gain?

Drinking fruit juice often and in large amounts can increase daily energy intake. Whole fruit is preferred over fruit juice.

My child is constantly hungry, what should I do?

Meal content, snacking through the day, sugary drinks, sleep and some medical conditions should be assessed together. Constant hunger should not be seen as a matter of willpower alone.

Does screen time cause obesity in children?

Long sedentary screen time can contribute to less physical activity, more snacking and a disrupted sleep pattern.

How much should children move each day?

For school-age children and adolescents, an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day is recommended.

Should we tell a child with obesity that they “need to lose weight”?

Shaming or blaming comments about a child's weight should not be used. It is more appropriate to talk in terms of health, strength, sleep, movement and positive changes the whole family can make.

Are medications used in the treatment of obesity in children?

In some adolescents, medications may be used in the treatment of obesity after an appropriate clinical assessment. They are not suitable for every child and should be used under medical supervision.

Which doctor should be seen for obesity in children?

The first assessment can be done by a specialist in child health and diseases. Depending on the child's situation, assessment by pediatric endocrinology, a dietitian, psychology/psychiatry or other disciplines may be needed.

Childhood Obesity

“Is my child a little heavy, or close to obesity?”“He is tall as well, does his weight really count as too much?”“Will she grow out of it?”“Is it right to put a child on a diet?”

Childhood obesity is not a condition that is judged only by outward appearance or by the number on the scale.

Obesity in childhood is a chronic and multifactorial health problem that has to be assessed by looking at growth, metabolic health, sleep, physical activity, nutrition, emotional wellbeing and family life together.

For this reason the goal is not to blame the child for their weight or to make them lose weight quickly; it is to protect their growth while building healthy and sustainable life habits.

What Is Obesity in Children?

Obesity is a condition characterized by excess body fat at a level that can affect health.

However, because children are still growing, the fixed body mass index cut-offs used in adults are not used in children.

A child's;

Age
Sex
Height
Weight

are assessed together, and a body mass index (BMI) percentile for age and sex is calculated.

How Is Obesity in Children Recognized?

In children older than 2 years, BMI is one of the important screening tools for assessing weight.

In general;

Below the 5th percentile: underweight
5th–85th percentile: healthy weight range
85th–95th percentile: overweight
95th percentile and above: obesity

is how it is interpreted.

However, BMI on its own does not explain a child's health.

The child's growth chart, physical examination, family history, nutrition and lifestyle habits should also be assessed together.

Is There a Single Answer to the Question “How Much Should My Child Weigh?”

No.

For example, two 10-year-old children do not have to have the same normal weight.

Their heights, sexes, stages of growth and body builds may be different.

For this reason, instead of only looking at a weight-for-age table, what matters is how the child is tracking along their own growth chart.

In particular, a clear rise in the BMI percentile over time may be something that needs to be noticed early.

Why Does Obesity Happen in Children?

Childhood obesity does not have a single cause.

In most children;

Genetic predisposition
Eating habits
Physical activity
Sleep pattern
Screen time
The family's way of living
The environment the child lives in
Psychosocial factors

play a role together.

The World Health Organization also describes obesity as a multifactorial disease that cannot be explained simply by “eating too much and moving too little.” In some children, medications, illnesses or genetic syndromes may also play an important role.

Is Obesity Genetic?

Genetic predisposition can be important, but on its own it is not destiny.

The risk may be higher in children whose mother or father has obesity.

At the same time, within the same family;

Eating habits
Level of physical activity
Sleep pattern
Screen use
The foods kept at home

are also shared by the child.

For this reason it is not possible to separate genetic and environmental factors completely from each other.

Can Obesity in Children Be Hormonal?

It can be, but hormonal disorders are not the cause of the great majority of childhood obesity.

In particular, when weight gain is accompanied by a clear slowing of height growth, some hormonal causes may need to be assessed.

Depending on the clinical findings, thyroid, cortisol or other endocrine problems may be investigated.

However, a broad hormone panel is not needed for every child with obesity.

Can Medications Cause Weight Gain in Children?

Some medications can affect appetite, energy metabolism or body weight.

In children who use long-term medication and have clear weight gain, the effects of the medications they use should also be assessed.

Medications should not be stopped without a doctor's advice.

Why Does Obesity in Children Matter?

Childhood obesity does not only mean “they will have a weight problem later on.”

Some health problems can also appear during childhood and adolescence.

Obesity;

Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Abnormal blood lipids
Fatty liver
Sleep apnea
Orthopedic problems
Some hormonal and reproductive system problems

may be associated with these.

In addition, because of their weight, children may also experience;

Peer bullying
Body image problems
Anxiety
Depressive symptoms

and other psychosocial difficulties.

Excess weight, and especially excess body fat, can increase the risk of developing insulin resistance in some children.

However, not every child with obesity has insulin resistance or diabetes.

A metabolic assessment can be planned according to the child's age, the degree of obesity, family history and other risk factors.

Can Children Have Fatty Liver?

Yes.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease can also be seen in children, and obesity is one of the important risk factors.

In most children it may not cause symptoms in the early stage.

For this reason, in children at risk, liver health may need to be assessed depending on the clinical situation.

Does Obesity Cause Snoring in Children?

Obesity may be associated with narrowing of the upper airway during sleep and an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea in children.

In particular, if there is;

Loud snoring
Noticing that breathing stops during sleep
Restless sleep
Waking up tired in the morning
Attention problems during the day

an assessment of sleep may be needed.

How Is Obesity in Children Treated?

The aim of treatment is not only to lower the number on the scale.

The goal is;

To keep healthy growth going
To control excess weight gain
To reduce metabolic risks
To improve the quality of nutrition
To increase physical activity
To improve the sleep pattern

To protect the child's emotional wellbeing.

Especially in younger children, it can sometimes be enough for weight to increase more slowly, or to stay stable for a certain period, while height increases, rather than for the child to lose weight.

Treatment should be individualized according to the child's age and the degree of obesity.

Should a Child Be Put on a Diet?

Very low calorie diets or diets aimed at rapid weight loss, as used in adults, are not appropriate for children.

Because a child is still growing, their need for;

Protein
Vitamins
Minerals
Energy

has to be met.

The aim is not to create a “list of forbidden foods,” but to change the family's daily eating pattern.

Leaving a child hungry, making them skip meals or putting them on single-type eating programs can affect growth and development negatively.

Why Does the Family Matter in Treating Obesity in Children?

A child's nutrition is not decided by the child alone.

At home;

Which foods are bought
What is put on the table
Which drinks are available
Meal times
Screen use
How much the family moves

are largely decided by adults.

For this reason, especially in younger children, changing family life is a better approach than “putting the child on a diet.”

A child trying to eat vegetables while the rest of the family constantly eats fast food is not a sustainable model.

How Should a Child With Obesity Eat?

The basic approach is adequate and balanced eating from different food groups.

Eating can include;

Vegetables and fruit
Whole grains
Legumes
Protein sources such as meat, fish and eggs
Age-appropriate dairy products
Healthy sources of fat

as part of the diet.

Heavily processed products that are high in sugar, salt and saturated fat and low in nutritional value should not form the basis of daily eating.

In its 2026 healthy diet guidance, WHO also describes adequacy, balance, moderation and variety as the four basic principles of healthy eating.

Why Do Sugary Drinks Matter?

Sugary drinks can lead to a large amount of energy being taken in within a short time.

These may be;

Fizzy drinks
Fruit drinks with added sugar
Flavoured drinks
Some ready-made tea and coffee products

among others.

For children, the main drink should be water.

WHO specifically recommends limiting sugary drinks and energy-dense foods in preventing childhood obesity.

Does Fruit Juice Cause Obesity?

Fruit itself and fruit juice are not the same thing.

Fruit juice can lead to the sugar and energy of more fruit being consumed in a short time, and it contains less fiber than whole fruit.

For this reason, in a child's daily diet, whole fruit should be preferred over fruit juice.

What Should Portions Look Like for Children?

Children's portions are not expected to be the same as adult portions.

Small, age-appropriate portions can be a starting point.

A child should not be required to finish everything on their plate.

Constantly telling a child who says they are full to “eat a little more” can, over the long term, make it harder for them to listen to their own hunger and fullness signals.

Should There Be a List of Forbidden Foods in Childhood Obesity?

Strict “bans” are usually not sustainable.

Banning a food completely can make some children even more interested in it.

A healthier approach should be built on;

Making nourishing foods the basis of daily eating
Reducing how often energy-dense, low-nutrient products are eaten
Adjusting portions

as the main principles.

Does Breakfast Prevent Obesity?

Eating breakfast on its own is not a method that prevents obesity.

What matters is the overall eating pattern across the day.

Still, regular meals can be helpful in reducing constant snacking and in keeping a steady hunger and fullness rhythm during the school day.

How Much Physical Activity Do Children Need?

It is important for school-age children and adolescents to be physically active regularly as part of their daily life.

WHO recommends that children do at least an average of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day.

The aim here is not only to go to a sports club.

Walking
Cycling
Playing
Running
Swimming
Team sports

and other activities can all be part of being physically active.

Finding an activity the child enjoys is important for making it sustainable.

Long periods of sedentary screen use can take the place of physical activity.

In addition, in front of a screen;

Unmonitored snacking
Drinking sugary drinks
Going to bed late
Shorter sleep

and other behaviors can develop.

For this reason it is necessary not only to “cut down on the tablet,” but to look at what the screen is replacing in the child's daily life.

WHO also recommends limiting screen time and sedentary behavior in preventing obesity.

Is There a Link Between Sleep and Obesity in Children?

Yes.

Insufficient or irregular sleep can affect children's appetite regulation, daily activity and metabolic health.

For this reason, in managing childhood obesity, it is important to look not only at food but also at bedtimes and sleep quality.

How Should We Talk to a Child About Their Weight?

Comments about a child's body such as;

“You are fat,”

“If you eat like that you will gain even more weight,”

“You are not allowed to eat this,”

should not be used.

The aim is not to criticize the child's body, but to support their health.

The conversation can be built around;

Being stronger
Sleeping better
Moving more comfortably
Eating in a balanced way
Building healthy habits as a family

as the main focus.

A shaming or blaming approach to a child's weight does not help healthy behavior change.

Do Children Grow Out of Obesity?

The idea that “it will go away once they shoot up in height” is not true for every child.

Excess weight and obesity in childhood can continue into later years.

For this reason, when weight gain on the growth chart is noticed early, it can be easier to act.

However, acting should not mean putting the child on a strict diet; it should mean using the growth period to support healthy weight development.

Are Blood Tests Done for Obesity in Children?

The same tests are not needed for every child.

The child's;

Age
Degree of obesity
Family history
Physical examination findings
Accompanying conditions

are assessed, and the necessary tests are chosen accordingly.

Depending on the clinical situation, areas such as;

Blood sugar metabolism
Blood lipids
Liver function

may be investigated.

Are Medications Used for Obesity in Children?

Lifestyle and family-based treatment are among the core parts of managing obesity.

However, today, in some adolescents, medications for the treatment of obesity are also being considered and can be used, depending on age and clinical features.

These medications should not be used casually in order to “lose a few kilos.”

The degree of obesity, the child's age, accompanying health problems and treatment options should be assessed together by the treating physician.

Is Surgery Performed for Obesity in Children?

For the great majority of children, surgery is not on the table.

However, in selected adolescents with severe obesity and in appropriate centers, metabolic-bariatric surgery may be considered as one of the treatment options.

This decision is made by a multidisciplinary team after a detailed assessment.

How Can Obesity in Children Be Prevented?

It is important for habits that prevent obesity to start from the first years of childhood, not after a weight problem has appeared.

Families;

Should respect the child's hunger and fullness signals
Should offer balanced and varied foods
Should limit sugary drinks
Should encourage drinking water
Should reduce constant snacking through the day
Should avoid feeding meals in front of a screen
Should support daily movement
Should pay attention to the sleep routine

Should build healthy living habits as a family.

The main goal is to help the child build these habits for healthy growth, not “so that they do not gain weight.”

When Should You See a Doctor About Obesity in Children?

In particular, if;

The child's BMI percentile is steadily rising
There is clear weight gain over a short period
Weight is increasing rapidly while height growth is slowing
There is loud snoring or signs of sleep apnea
High blood pressure has been found
Dark, thickened skin has developed, especially on the neck and under the arms
There is early-onset type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease in the family
The child is having emotional difficulties because of their weight

the child needs to be assessed.