obesity

Hi,
my son is 6 years old ,3 and half feet tall and 176 lbs.From last year he is increasing his weight
which i am worried.Is he obess and how to reduce  his weight. Does he need to reduce weight or concentrate on
physical execercise.

[Renee Radenberg]

His weight is very above the 95th percentile and his height is between the 50-25th percentile for his age. He is very overweight for his age. It is recommend increasing children's physical activities (play, dance, sports) to lose weight, and not lower calorie intake due to the need of calories for growth. For his age he needs approximately 1800 calories a day to grow. Limit time in front of the TV or non-active-video games. There have been studies showing the longer the length of time a child sit in front of the TV, the greater the weight gain. Limit high sugar drinks/snacks, and try replacing with low fat milk/yogurt, fruit, air popped popcorn, or low-fat cheese. Additional suggestions: cook only low fat meats (chicken, fish, loin of pork) or non-meat sources (soy products, nuts), low fat vegetarian combinations (rice & beans, pasta & beans, low fat cheese & pasta), fat free or low fat dairy products (skim milk, 1% milk, low fat cheese, low fat yogurts, low fat soy milk/yogurt), use plant oils, non trans-fat margarines, and eat a lot of fruits, salads, and vegetables. Eat daily high fiber breads and cereals (oatmeal) and limit ‘junk’ foods. Hoped that helped you.

[mammo]

Probably both.  Unfortunately, with all the video games, our children get little physical activity.  It may be time to get him involved in some type of sport.  Keep junk food and sugary snacks out of the house, allowing them as an occassional treat.  It may mean that the entire family change their eating habits, but your child's health is at risk.  Also, discuss this with his pediatrician.