Childhood Obesity: A Growing Problem

Childhood obesity is becoming a huge (no pun intended) problem. It is estimated that 17 percent of children are obese, a number that has tripled over the past 25 years. Doctors and scientists are concerned about the health implications of this ever-increasing number of overweight children. Some of the health-related consequences of obesity are the following:

• Cardiovascular Disease—Childhood obesity leads to increased incidence of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and glucose intolerance, all of which are risk factors for heart disease. Among overweight children, over 60 percent have one of the above risk factors, and nearly 40 percent have two or more.
• Type 2 Diabetes—Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes, but with the rise in childhood obesity, the rates of this disease are increasing among children and adolescents. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to kidney problems, circulation issues, and visual deficiencies.
• Psychosocial Issues—Children who are overweight are at risk for various social issues including discrimination, which can lead to poor self-esteem and low confidence. Children with low self-esteem often have difficulty academically and socially.
• Although less common, studies have also linked childhood obesity to increased rates of asthma and sleep apnea.

The next post will discuss ways you can prevent obesity in your children by keeping them active during the winter months.