Recent reports have shown that childhood obesity has become one of the most serious public health challenges. The prevalence is increasing at such an alarming rate that it has now become a global problem, affecting both low and middle income countries, especially those in the urban areas.
In 2010, according to a world health report, over 42 million children below the age of five are overweight out of which 35 million live in developing countries.
There are a lot of disadvantages associated with childhood obesity. Apart from the fact that an obese child is very likely to stay obese into adulthood, they are also more likely to develop diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases as well as other related diseases at a tender age. We shall be highlighting some of the health risks of overweight children below.
Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes used to be known as onset of diabetes in adults but these days, it has become highly prevalent in overweight children. Obesity is one significant factor that causes diabetes 2 in children. Obese children produce excess insulin such that when the need for insulin arises, they are not able to produce enough more. And also, the presence of too much fat tissue can cause insulin resistance.
High blood pressure: While high blood pressure is a disease that is common among adults, it is becoming quite prevalent in children. Experts think that childhood obesity is to blame for this. Excess weight can strain the heart and if left untreated may eventually cause damage to the heart, eyes, kidneys and brains.
Menstrual problems: Obese girls are more likely to have problems with their periods – irregular periods. When a girl is overweight, it can result in hormone imbalance which in turn causes puberty to set in earlier than expected. Obesity is also said to contribute to uterine fibroids in later life.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder caused by the obstruction of the airways. Overweight children usually experience this problem. This breathing disorder can be life threatening as it can lead to heart failure over a long period of time.
Asthma: Research has shown that overweight children are more likely to struggle with asthma than kids that are of normal weight. Inflammation caused by body fat is suspected to be the main factor that causes increased risk of asthma. Overweight kids are also said to require frequent visits to the doctor and also require more medical attention and drug therapy.
Liver problems: Overweight children are at significant risk of developing fatty liver disease, a condition characterised with accumulation of fat in the liver. This can lead to scarring of the liver. Excessive fat in the liver can also reduce its proper functioning which can raise the risk of liver cirrhosis later in life.
Between 25 percent and 40 percent of children who are overweight will have metabolic syndrome (a group of factors that raises the risk for heart disease and other health problems).It includes:
• Abnormal lipids
• High blood pressure
• Insulin resistance
• Obesity
The good news is that the health problems associated with metabolic syndrome respond well to diet and exercise. When children lose weight it can reverse the negative effects of metabolic syndrome.
Overweight children are more likely to become overweight or obese adults. It is an extremely difficult cycle to break. An unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle are known risk factors for the three leading causes of death in adults: cancer, stroke and cardiovascular disease.
Although there are treatment options for overweight children, prevention is the key to combating the childhood obesity epidemic.
In 2010, according to a world health report, over 42 million children below the age of five are overweight out of which 35 million live in developing countries.
There are a lot of disadvantages associated with childhood obesity. Apart from the fact that an obese child is very likely to stay obese into adulthood, they are also more likely to develop diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases as well as other related diseases at a tender age. We shall be highlighting some of the health risks of overweight children below.
Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes used to be known as onset of diabetes in adults but these days, it has become highly prevalent in overweight children. Obesity is one significant factor that causes diabetes 2 in children. Obese children produce excess insulin such that when the need for insulin arises, they are not able to produce enough more. And also, the presence of too much fat tissue can cause insulin resistance.
High blood pressure: While high blood pressure is a disease that is common among adults, it is becoming quite prevalent in children. Experts think that childhood obesity is to blame for this. Excess weight can strain the heart and if left untreated may eventually cause damage to the heart, eyes, kidneys and brains.
Menstrual problems: Obese girls are more likely to have problems with their periods – irregular periods. When a girl is overweight, it can result in hormone imbalance which in turn causes puberty to set in earlier than expected. Obesity is also said to contribute to uterine fibroids in later life.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder caused by the obstruction of the airways. Overweight children usually experience this problem. This breathing disorder can be life threatening as it can lead to heart failure over a long period of time.
Asthma: Research has shown that overweight children are more likely to struggle with asthma than kids that are of normal weight. Inflammation caused by body fat is suspected to be the main factor that causes increased risk of asthma. Overweight kids are also said to require frequent visits to the doctor and also require more medical attention and drug therapy.
Liver problems: Overweight children are at significant risk of developing fatty liver disease, a condition characterised with accumulation of fat in the liver. This can lead to scarring of the liver. Excessive fat in the liver can also reduce its proper functioning which can raise the risk of liver cirrhosis later in life.
Between 25 percent and 40 percent of children who are overweight will have metabolic syndrome (a group of factors that raises the risk for heart disease and other health problems).It includes:
• Abnormal lipids
• High blood pressure
• Insulin resistance
• Obesity
The good news is that the health problems associated with metabolic syndrome respond well to diet and exercise. When children lose weight it can reverse the negative effects of metabolic syndrome.
Overweight children are more likely to become overweight or obese adults. It is an extremely difficult cycle to break. An unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle are known risk factors for the three leading causes of death in adults: cancer, stroke and cardiovascular disease.
Although there are treatment options for overweight children, prevention is the key to combating the childhood obesity epidemic.
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