Knowledge
Childhood overweight and obesity – how it's detected
It is not possible to determine if a child is overweight or has obesity merely by looking at the child. The assessment is primarily based on height, weight, BMI adjusted for age and gender, and how the child's growth develops over time.
The most important sign is the change in the growth curve
Children grow differently.
Therefore, height and weight are regularly monitored at BVC and within school healthcare. By plotting the measurements on the child's growth curve, it is possible to see changes that are not as evident from a single measurement.
The healthcare provider looks at, among other things:
- how BMI develops over time
- if the child crosses thresholds for overweight or obesity
- if weight is increasing rapidly
- if linear growth changes
- the child's age and pubertal development
For children, iso-BMI is used to account for age and sex. Iso-BMI 25 corresponds to overweight and iso-BMI 30 to obesity.
Rapid change can be more important than an individual value
The national care programme emphasises that the assessment should not be based on a single BMI value. A rapidly rising BMI curve can be important to observe, especially at an early age.
Typically, obesity development can begin as early as preschool years. The combination of significant weight gain and flattened height growth also needs to be observed, as it may warrant further investigation.
Factors that may involve increased risk
Obesity is a complex disease where biological, genetic, social, and environmental factors all play a role. It can be particularly important to monitor the child's development if, for example:
- overweight or obesity is present in the family
- the child is gaining weight rapidly
- type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease is present in the family
- the child has a disability that increases the risk of obesity
- the child has already progressed from overweight to obesity
This does not mean that any of these factors alone imply that the child will develop obesity.
Symptoms that may occur
Many children with overweight or obesity have no clear physical symptoms. However, some may experience, for example:
- snoring or disturbed sleep
- fatigue
- problems with knees, feet or back
- difficulties participating in certain physical activities
- psychological suffering, bullying, or stigmatisation
Such symptoms are not a way to diagnose obesity but are important to discuss with the healthcare provider.
When should you contact a healthcare provider?
Contact BVC, school health services, or a primary care centre if you or the child are concerned about the child's health or weight.
1177 also recommends seeking support if the family has tried to make changes but is not making progress.
Early contact is particularly important if the child is rapidly gaining weight and there is, for example, obesity, type 2 diabetes, or cardiovascular disease in the family, or if overweight has developed into obesity.
How a potential referral to paediatric specialist care proceeds varies between regions.
What happens when a healthcare provider assesses the child's weight?
The assessment involves significantly more than kilograms. Healthcare professionals may, among other things, review:
Growth
Height, weight, BMI/iso-BMI, and how the curves have developed.
The child's health
Previous illnesses, medication, sleep, physical and mental health, and signs of secondary diseases.
The family's situation
Lifestyle habits, daily routines, meals, physical activity, and other factors that may affect the treatment.
Need for further investigation
Blood tests or other examinations are carried out based on the child's individual situation.
The goal is to get a holistic picture and create a treatment that works for the child and family.
Talk about health without blame
Obesity is not a sign of poor character or lack of willpower.
The care programme recommends neutral and respectful language regarding weight and growth.
For the child, it is often more helpful to talk about health, energy, sleep, routines, and what the body needs, rather than commenting on appearance or individual numbers on the scale.
When treatment has begun
Obesity treatment is long-term and progress needs to be monitored over time.
Digital treatment support can be used as a complement to physical clinic visits.
With Evira, the child's treatment team can monitor home measurements between visits, while the family gets a visualisation of their progress without the child needing to see their weight in kilograms.
Are you concerned about your child's weight?
Evira does not replace a medical assessment. Contact BVC, school healthcare or your GP for advice and assessment.
For familiesDo you work with children with obesity?
Read how Evira is used as digital treatment support in childhood obesity care.
Evira for regions and clinics