What’s the Big Deal?

The BIG DEAL is that a high BMI score means that a child could have health problems now and in the future. A BMI score over the 85th percentile on your child’s growth chart is too high. The good news is that YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT RIGHT NOW. Click here for local help.

Here are more reasons why a high BMI score is a BIG DEAL:

• Overweight children often have a poor self image, are lonely, sad and nervous.
• Overweight children are more likely to smoke and drink alcohol.
• Most overweight children ages 5 to 10 have at least one sign of beginning heart disease.
• Being overweight can cause high blood pressure, gallbladder disease and osteoarthritis.
• Being overweight can lead to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and certain cancers.
• Many overweight children have trouble breathing when sleeping, which can lead to trouble with learning and memory.
• Type 2 diabetes, which usually affects only adults, can develop in children who are overweight.
• Overweight children most likely develop into overweight and obese adults with heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Overweight children cost you more money and time away from work because they have more health problems.