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.
Content Sources
Your Overweight Child and the Risk of Disease. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/obesity/Pages/Your-Overweight-Child-and-the-Risk-of-Disease.aspx. Accessed February 16, 2017
Health risks of overweight children. The Regents of The University of California. https://www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/education/health_risks_for_overweight_children/. Accessed February 16, 2017
What Are the Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity? Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/obe/risks. Accessed February 16, 2017