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Child Who Is Overweight: Medical Evaluation

Topic Overview

If your child is overweight or at risk of becoming overweight, a thorough medical examination is important.

History

Your doctor will ask about:

  • Your child's weight history, to see if your child has had an unusual change in rate of growth.
  • What may have started the weight gain (such as an illness, family crisis or change, or medicine).
  • A family history of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and gallstones.
  • Sleeping problems your child may have, such as sleep apnea, which means your child stops breathing at times while asleep.
  • When you noticed your child's weight gain.
  • Past efforts to manage weight.
  • Unhealthy eating behaviour, such as binge eating or fasting.
  • Your child's diet and exercise history.

Causes of overweight

Your doctor will look for physical or emotional reasons for your child's weight gain, including Prader-Willi syndrome, hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome (all of which are rare), or emotional causes such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.

The following tests may be done to help identify the cause and to look for possible complications of being overweight:

Your doctor will also ask if your child is taking medicines that may result in weight gain, including:

  • Antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, desipramine, and imipramine.
  • Corticosteroids, such as cortisone, hydrocortisone, and prednisone.
  • Medicines used to control seizures, such as divalproex and gabapentin.

Physical examination

During a complete physical examination, your doctor will check your child's health and look for early signs of problems, including:

  • High blood pressure.
  • High cholesterol.
  • Type 2 diabetes or high blood sugar levels.

Your doctor may refer your child to a medical specialist or a registered dietitian.

Credits

Current as of: December 27, 2021

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
John Pope MD - Pediatrics
Thomas M. Bailey MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine
Rhonda O'Brien MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator