Pediatric Overweight & Obesity

Healthy Weight for Kids

The 2024 Population Needs Assessment showed over 9,000 pediatric CenCal Health members were overweight or obese, 84% of whom identified as Hispanic. If you are concerned that your child is—or could become—overweight, talk about this with your child’s doctor. Your child’s doctor may recommend that you make changes in your family’s eating and exercise habits. A child who weighs too much may develop serious health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.

Eating healthy foods and getting more exercise can help your child have better health.

What are some ways you can help your child?

• Set goals that are within reach. Your doctor can help set a healthy weight goal for your child.
• Avoid weight-loss diets. They can affect your child’s growth in height.
• Make healthy diet adjustments as a family. Try not to single out your child.
• Help your child be more active. Look into after-school sports programs or a local youth based community center.
• Call CenCal Health’s Health Education Request Line at 1-800-421-2560 ext. 3126 for more support

How can you help with social and emotional concerns?

Children who are overweight are at risk of having low self-esteem and depression. Here are some things you can do to help your child have greater confidence, health, and self-esteem:

• Avoid talking about your child’s weight
• Encourage activities that your child enjoys
• Encourage social involvement
• Help your child eat well