Do you know if your child is overweight? Many parents don't, according to a study performed at the University of California, San Francisco. According to study authors, a significant number of Latino women (who were the study participants) failed to recognize their overweight children as being overweight.

According to some doctors, this is true for many parents, not only Latino parents. This may be because of the stigma associated with being overweight and a general reluctance to label a child as being overweight.

How do you find out if your child is carrying too many pounds? Check with your physician. Children's weights are plotted on developmental growth charts adjusted for age and height. Weight should be checked at least twice a year.