Overweight children and their risk of disease

Overweight or obese children are at high risk of a number of medical problems. Some of these medical problems include the following :

• high blood pressure
• type 2 diabetes : It is also known as non–insulin-dependent diabetes
• heart disease
• asthma
• abnormal lipid levels
• metabolic syndrome : This is a condition of insulin resistance associated with high blood pressure, high triglyceride levels, obesity, and sometimes  liver disease and menstrual irregularities in girls
• skin infection
• sleep apnea
• liver disease
• gallstones
• pancreatitis : inflammation of the pancreas
• back pain
• severe headache with visual disturbances
• menstrual abnormalities  such as irregular or missed periods also known as polycystic ovarian syndrome
• knee, thigh and hip pain : This is usually associated with a condition known as slipped capital femoral epiphysis

You also have to know that overweight  children and adolescent are more likely to become overweight or obese adults.