Health Consequences of Childhood Obesity
Obese & Overweight Children are at Risk for Serious Health Problems
Rising levels of overweight and obesity are already having a negative effect on our kids’ health and quality of life. The obesity epidemic is clearly taking its toll, as more and more kids are developing conditions and diseases typically associated with adults.
Diabetes on the rise: Type 2 diabetes used to be called “adult-onset diabetes.” Now, the rise in childhood obesity is linked to a dramatic rise in the number of children suffering from type 2 diabetes. [1]
Heart trouble at middle age: If current trends continue, adolescents with type 2 diabetes may experience heart troubles beginning as young as 30 or 40 years old. [2]
Increased risk of heart failure: Being overweight or out of shape makes the heart work harder. [3] Overweight children are more likely to grow up to be overweight adults and more likely to develop heart problems. [4]
Chronic medical conditions: Obesity is associated with more chronic (continuing) medical conditions than smoking or excessive drinking. [5]
Digestive problems: One in four obese children may have digestive troubles such as constipation. [6]
Higher risk of asthma: There may be a link between the rise in childhood obesity and the rise in childhood asthma. Extra weight can make it harder to breathe and can inflame the respiratory tract. Children with serious asthma are more likely to be overweight. [7]
Obese & Overweight Children are at Risk for a Lesser Quality of Life
Overweight and obese children often suffer from serious emotional and behavioral problems. Severely obese children may have a similar health-related quality of life as children who have been diagnosed with cancer. [8]
Emotional impact: Overweight and obese children often suffer from low self-esteem, experience bullying, teasing and depression.
Citations
1. Daniels SR, Arnett DK, Eckel RH, et al. Overweight in children and adolescents: pathophysiology, consequences, prevention, and treatment. Circulation. April 19 2005; 111 (15): 1999-2012.
2. Obesity and Disability. Santa Monica, California: Rand Health; 2004.
3. Li X, Li S, Ulusoy E, Chen W, Srinivasan SR, Berenson, GS. Childhood adiposity as a predictor of cardiac mass in adulthood: The Bogalusa Heart Study. Circulation 2004; 110:3488-92
4. The Problem of Overweight in Children and Adolescents. Department of Health and Human Services Fact Sheet; http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/calltoaction/fact_adolescents.htm
5. Colditz GA. Economic costs of obesity and inactivity. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999; 31:S663-S667.
6. http://www.mercola.com/2004/sep/15/obese_children.htm
7. http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/press/releases/press05102005.html
8. Yanovski JA, Yanovski SZ. Treatment of Pediatric and adolescent obesity. JAMA. April 9, 2003; 289 (14): 1851-1853