A physician can determine if a child is overweight or obese. A common standard for measuring obesity is the body mass index (BMI). The formula uses a person's height and weight to estimate body fat. Children who are above the 95^th percentile for BMI for their age are considered overweight. Those who score between the 85^th and 95^th percentile are considered at risk of becoming overweight.

The office visit will likely include a physical examination and medical history. This will include questions about a history of:

• Family members who have weight problems or who are obese
  
  
• Birth weight under 5 pounds (2 kilograms) or over 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms)
  
  
• High blood sugar, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels or high levels of triglycerides

The physician will also ask about a child's eating habits and patterns of activity. If the physician determines that the child is overweight or obese, the patient may be referred to a dietitian for further advice. Dietitians can help establish a healthy weight management program for children.