Obesity in Children - Effects On Health

Effects On Health

The first problems to occur in obese children are usually emotional or psychological. Childhood obesity however can also lead to life-threatening conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep problems, cancer, and other disorders. Some of the other disorders would include liver disease, early puberty or menarche, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, skin infections, and asthma and other respiratory problems. Studies have shown that overweight children are more likely to grow up to be overweight adults. Obesity during adolescence has been found to increase mortality rates during adulthood.

Obese children often suffer from teasing by their peers. Some are harassed or discriminated against by their own family. Stereotypes abound and may lead to low self-esteem and depression.

A 2008 study has found that children who are obese have carotid arteries which have prematurely aged by as much as thirty years as well as abnormal levels of cholesterol.

System Condition System Condition
Endocrine
  • Impaired glucose tolerance
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Hyperandrogenism
  • Effects on growth and puberty
  • Nulliparity and nulligravidity
 Cardiovascular
  • Hypertension
  • Hyperlipidemia
  • Increased risk of coronary heart disease as an adult
Gastroentestinal
  • Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
  • Cholelithiasis
 Respiratory
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Obesity hypoventilation syndrome
Musculoskeletal
  • Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE)
  • Tibia vara (Blount disease)
 Neurological
  • Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
Psychosocial
  • Distorted peer relationships
  • Poor self-esteem
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
 Skin
  • Furunculosis
  • Intertrigo

Read more about this topic:  Obesity In Children

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