Kids in Crisis: Childhood Obesity
DAP Health Director of Pediatrics Dr. Jasmin Brown says that to address the problem, we need to look beyond the number on the scale.
Words by Maggie Downs
Over the past 30 years, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This rise has led to an increase in obesity-related health issues among youth, including cardiovascular disease, pre-diabetes, and bone and joint problems. But addressing these challenges requires a shift in how we think about childhood obesity, moving away from blame and toward a more compassionate, holistic approach.
“One of the big misconceptions is that it’s the child’s fault or the parents’ fault. But this is a society problem. It’s a health care problem,” says DAP Health Director of Pediatrics Dr. Jasmin Brown, who practices at the Coachella Valley Community Health Center in Coachella. “It’s important for us to stop looking at this as a personal problem and more like, ‘How can we help one another?’”
One of the most debated tools in measuring and diagnosing obesity is the Body Mass Index (BMI). Originally developed in the 1830s to estimate the size of the average European man, BMI is a measure of body weight relative to height. However, it was never intended to assess individual health, especially in children.
“The BMI doesn’t account for different ethnicities or body shapes; it doesn’t differentiate between body fat, muscle, pregnancy — there are a lot of different things that affect a person’s weight, and therefore, their BMI,” Brown explains. “So, while I look at the BMI chart, I don’t use that as the crux of my management for kids.”
Obesity is influenced by various factors, including diet, physical activity, mental health, and socioeconomic status. That’s why Brown sees every visit as an opportunity to guide children. She emphasizes the importance of encouraging healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, and positive self-esteem, all key to addressing childhood obesity effectively. She suggests shifting the focus away from weight altogether.
“I really try to take it off the scale, because the scale is not the only measurement of health,” she says. “What I care about are the healthy habits that can start now and stay with the child for the rest of their life.”
When there are concerns, Brown may order laboratory tests to assess cholesterol levels, kidney function, and blood sugar, starting anywhere from age 3 and beyond. “My goal is to say, ‘Your cholesterol is elevated. We’re going to work on how to improve that,’ not ‘How can you lose weight?’” she notes. “Because I do see a lot of cholesterol problems and fatty livers and pre-diabetes, even in very young children, which can cause lasting health issues.”
During meetings with families, Brown discusses lifestyle factors like diet, physical activity, and screen time, suggesting small, manageable changes the family can make together. To avoid stigmatization — and empower parents to create a healthy environment for their children — she ensures these conversations are framed positively and without judgment. “If you have sensitive, caring discussions with the child and their family about how to manage health — taking the number on the scale out of it — these are important conversations to have,” Brown says. “Because if you ignore it, the repercussions can be severe.”
She says it’s important for every parent to build a trusting relationship with their child’s doctor so they can feel confident that concerns about weight will be addressed with care and respect. This foundation allows parents to bring up sensitive topics like weight with the assurance that their doctor will support the family in a positive, non-judgmental way.
If you are concerned about your child, please speak to your DAP Health pediatrician. If your child is not yet a DAP Health patient, please click here to access our pediatric services.