Children who are obese in the U.S. don't have the right perception of their own weight.
New government statistics have reported that approximately 30% of children and adolescents aged 8-15 years (32% of boys and 28% of girls), which comes down to an estimated 9.1 million young people, don't have the accurate read on their own weight, according to USA Today.
"Children who have a misperception of their weight are not going to take steps to control their weight or reduce their weight, and reduce the risk of future health complications. If people perceive their weight accurately, they can start weight-control behavior," explained lead researcher Neda Sarafrazi, a nutritional epidemiologist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics, according to Philly.com.
Sarafrazi emphasized that, "being overweight or obsess is associated with adverse health outcomes, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes."
34% of Hispanic-American children and teens believed they were thinner than they are, as do 34% of African-American kids and 28% of Caucasian children, according to the CDC report.
48% of obese boys think they're at the right weight, as do 36% of obese girls, according to researchers.
Obese and overweight kids and teens are reportedly more likely to consider themselves at about the right weight when they come from poorer homes than similar kids from richer homes.
Weight perceptions go beyond simply asking children how the view their current weight. There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration, including cultural and socioeconomic norms, the media, as well as peer and environmental influences.
"We tread a fine line when we talk to children and adolescents about their weight. Of concern is creating disordered eating patterns among kids who are labeled as misperceiving their weight," stated Samantha Heller, a senior clinical nutritionist at New York University Medical Center in New York City.
Heller added, "We can help bring children and adolescents to appropriate weights by focusing on healthy foods, regular exercise and a positive self-image. Parents, educators and caregivers can make headway by becoming role models themselves and creating opportunities to support and enjoy healthy lifestyle choices and activities with children."
