Riley’s POWER Program Helps Obese Children

We all know that childhood obesity is on the rise. We hear it on the news, read about it magazines and other publications, and may even talk about it with other parents or school officials. But did you know….

• Pediatric overweight/obesity prevalence has tripled since 1970
• 33% of US children are overweight/obese
• Obese children have an 80% probability of being an obese adult

The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for obesity in children as young as 6 yrs old, and encourages medical professionals to offer or refer for counseling and intervention treatments

So how do you know if your child is just larger than average, or actually obese? The term obesity refers to a person’s body mass index, or BMI, which is calculated from one’s weight and height. A child with a BMI greater than the 95th percentile is considered obese.

You can calculate your child’s BMI on age and gender specific charts created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Helping Your Child Stay Healthy

As a parent, you can take action today to help your child achieve a healthier weight. Talk to your doctor about possible programs in your area.  If you don't have a doctor, we can help you find one.

The Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health has a special program, the POWER program, whose goal is to improve the health of children between the ages of 2-18. POWER has a team of experts to help you and your family make healthy life changes. The POWER team consists of:

• Dietitian
• Pediatrician/Nurse Practitioner
• Physical Therapist
• Psychologist

To find out more about the POWER Program please visit us at www.rileyhospital.org/POWER.