Obesity
This is an increasing problem and, in early years, can be masked by a poor understanding of what a normal weight and body appearance is. A survey of almost 3000 parents published in the British Journal of General Practice in March 2015 found that parents of Reception aged children (5-years-old) felt that their children were normal weight even when > 20% were overweight or very overweight¹.
Once children reach Year 6 around 1 third are overweight² and it is well recognosed that significant obesity in childhood almost always continues into adulthood and is linked with a marked increased in co-morbidity
As a rule:
- Fat & tall = exogenous obesity
- Short & fat = endocrine disorder