# Junior Plus-Sized Fashion Overweight Kids Maintain Style with Just the Right Fit By Walter Andri | Published 2006-01-17 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kids-plus-size-clothing References: [heymomitfits](http://www.heymomitfits.com/index.html) Obesity is no longer just a weighty issue for adults--children now make up an increasing percentage of the growing number of overweight Americans. According to 1999-2002 survey data from the [National Center for Health Statistics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rini-daily-care-essentials), 16 percent of children and teens aged 6 to 19 were overweight--triple what the proportion was in 1980--with another 15 percent at risk of becoming overweight. That means there's a growing need for clothing that not only fits right, but also boasts the same style and attitude of its average-size counterpart. Ruth "Penny" Smith knows all too well the anguish and frustration [plus-size kids and parents](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/torrid-jeans-for-life) feel when clothes shopping: Her own son often came home empty-handed and disappointed. Smith, 44, had been sewing some of his clothing and realized she could help others by designing [large-size boys and girls clothing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/curve-by-the-shirt-company). Teaming up with her former district manager from a formalwear store, Patti Herioux, the two started Hey Mom, "It Fits!" in Bolingbrook, Illinois, and have received an enormous response worldwide from their e-tail website. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.5/10 - Popularity: 96% | Activity: 90% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Hip Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/hipfashion) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Plus-sized Kids Clothing:** The trend of creating fashionable clothing for overweight children is on the rise, offering opportunities for disruptive innovations in the fashion industry. - **Obesity in Children:** The increasing number of overweight children is a trend that highlights the need for innovative solutions in the healthcare industry. - **E-commerce for Kids Clothing:** The growth of e-commerce platforms selling plus-sized kids clothing presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in the retail industry. ### Where This Applies - **Fashion:** The fashion industry can benefit from creating stylish and well-fitting clothing for plus-sized kids, catering to an underserved market. - **Healthcare:** The healthcare industry can explore innovative approaches to address and combat childhood obesity, focusing on prevention and education. - **Retail:** The retail industry can leverage e-commerce platforms to offer a wide range of stylish plus-sized kids clothing, reaching a global customer base. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Advanced Kids Sizing Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/makip-1.md) - [Sleek Kid-Oriented Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/authentic-brands-group.md) - [Youth-Focused Fashion Brands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/youthfocused-fashion-brand.md) - [Lifestyle Kids Streetwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/patta-aw25-kids.md) - [Collaborative Candy Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jcpenney-x-haribo-collection.md) - [Back-To-School Wardrobe Pieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uniqlo-kids.md) - [Streetwear Experimental Kids Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ksubi-kids.md) - [Two-Sided Paper Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/megadolls.md) - [Kids Denim Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/levis-kids.md)