Some Nigerian parents have children that are overweight.

While most people simply assume that a child’s weight gain might be caused by overeating, this is not always the case.

When a child is gaining weight for no apparent reason, they may have a medical problem. Medical experts can usually tell why a child is overweight by looking at the child’s growth chart.

According to Dr. Hillary Lockemer a pediatric endocrinologist with WakeMed Children’s Endocrinology & Diabetes clinic, the growth chart for an overweight child shows corresponding increases in weight and height.

If a child is growing well, experts can rule out the vast majority of endocrine problems. Dr. Hillary Lockemer suggests that overweight children tend to be taller than their normal weight peers. However this does not mean they are going to remain taller than average, as when a child’s weight increases there is usually a jump in height. This is largely attributed to overnutrition.

A child with an endocrine problem on the other hand, will tend to have a different growth chart. The height will level off, but the weight will continue to steadily increase. The child in this instance is gaining weight but is not getting any taller.

There are many different types of endocrine disorders with diabetes being the most common. Other types of endocrine disorders include precocious puberty (abnormally early puberty, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), gigantism etc.

Doctors will usually recommend medication to treat endocrine or hormonal issues in children. On the other hand, lifestyle changes are usually suggested for children who are overweight or obese.

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