Obesity is a health problem in the United States, for adults and children. A child is considered obese if he weighs 10 percent or more than the recommended weight for his height and body type, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Many American children are obese because of poor eating habits, inactivity and overeating, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. The real danger in obesity lies in the health complications that it can cause.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a serious disease in which a person's body cannot control blood sugar levels. The Mayo Clinic states that children who are overweight are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which is often related to a poor diet and inactivity. If a child becomes diabetic, his whole life will change. Along with the need to frequently check blood sugar and to maintain a restricted diet plan, diabetics face the risk of heart problems and even blindness.
High Blood Pressure
Another complication with childhood obesity is high blood pressure. Though many people think adults are the ones who can get high blood pressure, children are not immune. The Mayo Clinic states that overweight children often develop high blood pressure and high cholesterol because of bad eating habits. High blood pressure, if left uncontrolled, can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Depression
Children who are overweight or obese often get bullied at school. They may also look at other children, compare themselves and wonder why they are so much heavier. The Mayo Clinic states that a serious complication of childhood obesity is depression. It can begin with low self-esteem, but over time the child might start to feel hopeless. She might develop chronic depression, losing interest in activities that she once enjoyed and hiding instead of playing with others.
Sleeping Problems
One reason some obese children have trouble sleeping is depression about their weight, according to the Mayo Clinic. Additionally, obese children sometimes develop sleep apnea, a potentially serious condition, where breathing stops and restarts while sleeping. This can make such children feel tired more often. The Mayo Clinic recommends that parents monitor an obese child's sleep, just to be safe.
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