Fact Files : Should I worry about my child's chubby tummy?

New research suggests children with too much belly fat are at increased risk of developing chronic health diseases including cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome (a combination of conditions including obesity, high blood pressure, high blood fats and sugar levels).

Although as a rule waist circumference is not a "vital sign" normally taken in a visit to the doctor, there is need for it to be considered in view of the limitations of the commonly calculated BMI (body mass index), a weight to height ratio used to indicate disease risk.

For example, a very muscular child may register a high BMI score, even if he is very healthy and has an average waist circumference. Also a sedentary child may not register a very high BMI score, but if he carries a lot of fat around his middle, he may be at a higher risk for health problems than other children with the same BMI score.

Sizing Up

To determine your child’s waist circumference, measure around their navel or midway between their lowest rib and hip bone (not where their trousers sit).

Use the following tables as a guide for waist circumference targets:

Reference: Eiseenmann J.C. (2005). Waist circumference percentiles for 7 – to – 15 year old Australian Children.
Acta Paediatrica 94: 1182-1185.

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