Childhood Obesity

CHILDHOOD OBESITY

Childhood Obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. It occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height. Childhood obesity is now recognized as a common chronic disorder in our society. Obese children are on the path to health problems that were once confined to adults, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and other afflictions. Treating and preventing childhood obesity helps protect the health of our children now and in the future.

Childhood obesity can impact the well being of children and adolescents not only on a psychological level but also on an emotional level. Most children are aware of obesity as socially undesirable from a very early age. Obese children are often teased and are targets of bullying by their peers in school. 'Bullying, and social isolation are some of the effects that many children face because of their obesity'. These immediate effects of obesity are associated with psychological factors such as lower self-esteem, emotional distress and anxiety.

Obese children and adolescents are at risk for health problems during their youth and as adults. During their youth, obese children and adolescents are more likely to have risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes) than are other children and adolescents.

Childhood obesity can have complications for the physical, social and emotional well-being of your child:

Physical complications [1]

* Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes in children is a chronic condition that affects the way your child's body metabolizes sugar (glucose). Type 2 diabetes is caused in part by a poor diet, and can often be reversed by eating healthier foods and exercising.

* Metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome isn't a disease itself, but a cluster of conditions that can put your child at risk of developing heart disease, diabetes or other health problems. This cluster of conditions includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol and excess abdominal fat.

* High cholesterol and high blood pressure. Your child can develop high blood pressure or high cholesterol if he or she eats a poor diet. These factors can contribute to the buildup of plaques in the arteries. These plaques can cause arteries to narrow and harden, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke later in life.

References:

Robert C. Klesges PhD, Mary L. Shelton MS , Lisa M. Klesges MS - Effects of Television on Metabolic Rate: Potential Implications For Childhood Obesity by. (PEDIATRICS Vol. 91 No. 2 February 1993, pp. 281-286) ( http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/91/2/281