How is obesity defined in childhood?

To properly view this site, javascript must be enabled and Flash version 9 or higher must be installed.
Get the latest Flash player
William McCarthy
Medical Director, Nova ABC Weight Loss Clinic, NOVA ABC Weight Loss Clinic
www.novaabc.com  
703-494-1020

Dr. William McCarthy is the Medical Director at the NOVA ABC Weight Loss Clinic

Dr. McCarthy has been in private medical practice in the Northern Virginia area since 1976.  He received a BS (Magna cum laude) at Xavier University in Cincinnati, his M.D. degree at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C, and served his internship and residency in Family Practice at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals in Madison, Wisconsin. Dr. McCarthy is board certified in bariatric medicine, which is the medical specialty of weight  disorders.  At this time, there are only approximatly 300 board certified bariatricians in the United States.

 
 He has served as the Chief of Staff and board member of Potomac Hospital here in Woodbridge.  He founded the nationally recognized Continuing Medical Education program at Potomac Hospital and served as it director for over twenty years.  He has been repeatedly voted by his peers as one of the top physicians in the D.C area in the Washington Consumer Checkbook.  Dr. McCarthy has also served as a board member of the Northern Virginia Foundation for Health and Medical Care and on the board of Physician’s Care insurance.  He was the team physician for the Prince William professional baseball team for many years, chosen by the Pirates, Yankees, Cardinals, and White Sox.   Dr. McCarthy has an outstanding reputation as a physician and educator, known not only for his broad knowledge of medicine, but also as a compassionate and caring physician.  After years of treating the health consequences that were brought on by excess weight, Dr. McCarthy decided to shift the focus of his care to the treatment and prevention of the actual cause of these medical problems.  Dr. McCarthy has attended numerous conferences, intensively studied the most current medical literature, and has spent time working with well known, experienced bariatricians in order to enhance his knowledge in the science of weight loss, metabolism, nutrition, exercise, and behavioral aspects of weight control.  He now dedicates his experience and knowledge to those who lives and health are adversely affected by their excess weight.

How is obesity defined in childhood?

This video is about obesity and weight issues in our society, which is now recognized by the medical profession as the world's #1 health problem. I will answer your questions about the impact of excess weight; the consequences and what can be done about it.

This expert: 67,579 views

This series: 10,697 views

Print

Transcripts

Host: How is obesity and overweight defined in childhood and adolescence?

Dr. William McCarthy: We find obesity and overweight in childhood and adolescence pretty much as we do in adults, we use the BMI or Body Mass Index. In adults we just use the Body Mass Index in relationship to height and weight. In children we add two other factors, we add age and gender and what we do, we defined obesity as Body Mass Index adjusted for age as above the 95% and we defined overweight between the 85% and 95%.

So, what we have for example, lets say an adult would have BMI of 23, that adult would be considered perfectly normal weight. However if we have a young girl, BMI with BMI of 23 perhaps 10 years old, she would be a frankly obese. Now, we would never use the terms obesity in reference to children, till this past July and we have started to realize it. It is not about self-esteem, we would tell back on using this term for many years, but it has become more important to really face the issue and to start to calling it, as it is.

Other Videos

  • Additional Abdominal Exercises In this video series, fitness instructor Vionna Jones demonstrates how to get fabulous abs. Vionna starts out with some intermediate exercises to strengthen your core muscles. She then demonstrates more advanced exercises that will help you define your six pack.
  • How to Relieve Back Pain Free and Easy A detailed, but quick informational video showing how to get rid of Back Pain that has bugging you.
  • How to do Reiki In this video series, Reiki Master Stephanie Kraft demonstrates how to perform the healing art of Reiki. Stephanie discusses where this practice comes from and shows what is involved in a Reiki healing session.
  • Is there a guide I can use to determine healthy portion sizes?
  • How to Clean & Care for Braces Dr. Maulik demonstrates and explains how to clean your teeth with braces. He discusses the proper way to brush, floss and care for your braces.
  • Selecting a Pest Control Professional Join Missy Henriksen, Vice President of Public Affairs for the National Pest Management Association, for an examination of how to select a pest professional in this video. Designed for consumers who may need to hire – or simply may be considering hiring - a pest professional, this video focuses upon the most important tips to employ during this selection process. Further, this video series examines why homeowners should work with a professional in lieu of DIY techniques, which particular pests require the expertise of a professional to identify and treat and what consumers should consider in hiring a pest professional.