A serious health condition that involves having excess body fat early in life.

Childhood obesity is a serious condition in which a child weighs well above the typical weight for age and height. It can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Not all children carrying extra pounds are overweight. Some children have larger than average body frames. And children often carry different amounts of body fat at the various stages of development. The body mass index (BMI) that provides a guideline of weight in relation to height, is the accepted measure of overweight and obesity. Growth charts, BMI and other tests can help figure out if a child's weight could pose health problems.

Improving the entire family's diet and exercise habits is one of the best ways to achieve a healthy weight in a child. In some cases, treatment may include medicines and weight-loss surgery.