Bill Klaproth (Host): Kids' weight gain in the pandemic is alarming doctors. These pandemic pounds, if you will, are not only affecting adults, they're affecting children as well. And it has many doctors worried as these extra pounds can have long-term effects. So, let's learn more with Dr. Lucretia Carter, Medical Director of Pediatrics at Tidelands Health. Dr. Carter, thank you so much for your time. We really appreciate this. So, as we come out of the pandemic, parents are concerned about weight gain in their children during the pandemic. And I guess you have experienced this with your own children.

Lucretia Carter, MD (Guest): Oh, that is correct. And I'm so happy to address this issue because it is something that's definitely close to me and close to my children.

Host: Yeah. So, this weight gain is not good. It's not something parents should just write off and say yeah happened. I'm not gonna worry about it. This can be problematic, these extra pounds. Is that right?

Dr. Carter: That's correct. Sometimes we're not talking about just a pound or two we're talking about 20, 30, and 40 pounds. And definitely I've seen both of my kids gain up to 60 pounds over this pandemic.

Host: So, you definitely do have firsthand experience with this. So, at what point should a parent be concerned when their child has gained 10 pounds, 20 pounds, 30 pounds. At what point should a parent be concerned?

Dr. Carter: Well, the one thing about children is that they're constantly gaining weight. So, gaining weight in and of itself is not necessarily bad. But what we're looking at is the rate of that weight gain. So, it's not about gaining five or 10 pounds, if you gained that over the year. That may be fine, because we're looking at the overall growth as well. But when we're gaining weight in the excess of 10, 20, 30 pounds, then we are jumping ahead in different categories where we're getting to overweight and obesity ranges.

Host: Oh, so this is more about sudden weight gain, than weight over a longer period of time.

Dr. Carter: Absolutely. So, we're looking at that very quick, rapid weight gain over and above what they would normally gain.

Host: And then does this affect certain age ranges over others?

Dr. Carter: Well we're seeing it in ages two through 17. It is most particularly evident in the ages between five and about nine years of age. These are the ages where it's a little bit harder to control some of their other activities and when they're home and they like to eat, they're just gaining those excess calories.

Host: Right. So, then what happens physically and mentally when a child has sudden weight gain as we've been talking about? What are some of the weight related health conditions a child may face because of this weight gain?

Dr. Carter: Well, in addition to the overall body changes, some kids may get stretch marks and not fit their clothes the way they used to, but we're dealing with issues of increased blood pressure. And even sometimes are elevated sugars or increasing insulin resistance or diabetes risk.

Host: This weight gain, this can have a long-term consequence. Is that correct?

Dr. Carter: Absolutely. As we know, rapid weight gain, or obesity in and of itself is a risk factor for diabetes later in life and even sometimes in our older teens.

Host: Is it true as kids return to normal, this weight gain won't necessarily just come right off. Is that correct?

Dr. Carter: Yes. That is absolutely correct. Losing weight as anybody can tell you is one, not easy, two, it's very hard to do. One of the things we don't like to do is actually restrict calories in a child who is otherwise supposed to be growing and developing.

Host: Yeah, that's really important to remember. So, then how should children go about trying to lose this weight? How can parents help their kids reduce this weight?

Dr. Carter: First thing is really just to not emphasize the word and we hear the word diet, but talk more about healthy eating and focus the conversations on healthy eating and not their actual weight. Because we, what we don't want to do is, decrease their self esteem, which they're certainly at risk for lowering, with the rapid weight gain, but also promoting otherwise a healthy body image. Some of the things that we can do is increasing our family meals. When we do sit down for family meals, we tend to eat healthier foods rather than quick, fast food, high calorie options. Also asking about you know if there are other things going on around that are causing them to maybe not eat as healthy. Sometimes when kids are teased or really overall boredom, which is what we saw a lot of during the pandemic, because they're not out and running around that can lead to other activities like excessive eating.

Host: Yeah, really good points. Don't talk about dieting. Talk about healthy eating and healthy choices and make sure you understand exactly what's going on to see if there are other influences as well. Dr. Carter, any other thing we should know about this sudden weight gain in children during the pandemic?

Dr. Carter: We're all looking at trying to return to our normal activities. So, sometimes the weight gain itself is just a matter of, they hadn't been able to do those things like those sports activities that they used to participate in. So, now that we're starting to loosen up on some of the restrictions, it's really getting the kids out and involved in those extracurriculars that they used to get into. And that helps in and of itself to help lose some of those excessive calories.

Host: As much as you can, get them out and get them moving. Is that right?

Dr. Carter: That's correct. Absolutely.

Host: This has really been interesting and something we need to pay attention to and watch out for as we come out of the pandemic. So, this has really been informative and enlightening. Dr. Carter, Thank you so much for your time. We really appreciate it.

Dr. Carter: You're very welcome. Thank you.

Host: That's Dr. Lucretia Carter. And for more information, or to schedule an appointment, please go to Tidelandshealth.org. You can also call 1-866-Tidelands. And if you found this podcast helpful, please share it on your social channels and check out the full podcast library for topics of interest to you. This is Better Health Radio. I'm Bill Klaproth. Thanks for listening.