Physicians are frank about the hard reality: Changing lifestyle behaviors to lose weight is so difficult, it makes prevention (avoiding gaining excess fat) the best answer by far. It’s hard for any age group to accomplish. But for kids, it’s especially true.

So in August 2003 -- seeing the surge in child obesity -- the American Academy of Pediatricians issued an unprecedented policy change directing doctors to not only track their young patients’ weight and height, but to track BMI (body mass index) as well -- so parents can be apprised early, should they need to make changes at home. 

BMI is believed to be the best measure of body fat. It’s a height-to-weight ratio used to distinguish “obese,” “overweight,” “at risk” or “healthy” weight.  Delineated by age and gender, a BMI will fall into one of the specified weight ranges.

The keys to child obesity prevention are -- beyond recognizing at-risk children early -- sound nutrition and physical education along with an improved environment. 

All are necessary to shape behavior. And to achieve all three, changes typically must occur at home, at school and in the community.