The Consequences Of Obesity In Children

Harvard Medicine defines obesity as too much body fat and estimates that 4.7 million children ages 6 to 17 are obese. Because obesity has serious consequences, the United States has developed several campaigns to curb the rising obesity rate in children and adults. Children, parents, government officials and educators must work together to educate children about the dangers of being obese.

Identification

Because children have different body types and grow at different rates, parents might have difficulty determining if a child is obese. A physician can determine if a child is at a normal weight, overweight or obese with several measurements. Some doctors use calipers, a tool that pinches the skin and fat together. This allows the doctor to measure skin-fold thickness and determine if the measurement is too high. Body mass index, a measurement of body weight compared to height, also aids in determining if a child is obese. A body mass index above the 95th percentile indicates a child is overweight or obese, according to the University of Michigan Health System.

Significance

Obesity increases the risk for serious medical conditions. These conditions include hip problems, heart disease, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, pre-diabetes, diabetes, breathing problems and sleep apnea. Obesity also increases the risk for stroke, heart attack, gallbladder disease and fatty liver disease. The Weight Control Information Network explains that obesity also increases the risk of pregnancy complications if obese children do not reduce their weight before they enter adulthood. Pregnancy risks for those with obesity include Cesarean section complications, hypertension during pregnancy and gestational diabetes.

Effects

Obesity causes the body to change in several ways. When the amount of fat tissues increases, the blood vessels have to work harder to deliver nutrients to the fat. This makes the heart work harder and increases the pressure on arterial walls. Excess fat also makes it more difficult for the blood to circulate through the blood vessels, according to Stanford Hospital & Clinics. The extra weight of obesity puts stress on the joints, increasing the risk for arthritis. Obesity also causes emotional effects on children. Obese children have to deal with bullying, discrimination and loneliness. This increases stress and reduces self-esteem and confidence.

Financial Impact

In addition to the emotional and physical effects of childhood obesity, this problem also has a financial cost. Dr. David S. Ludwig of Children’s Hospital in Boston estimates the annual costs of childhood obesity at several hundred million dollars as of 2006. Without intervention, Ludwig estimates that these costs will continue to rise. Childhood obesity leads to increased medical care costs and higher health insurance premiums. Parents of obese children have to spend money on larger clothes and adaptive items to help their children carry out normal activities.

Prevention/Solution

Encouraging obese children to lose weight in a healthy way will reduce the risk of complications associated with childhood obesity. Instead of candy, sugary beverages, potato chips and other snacks, provide fresh fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and whole grains. Encourage physical activity in the form of walking, swimming, jumping rope or participating in sports. Limit television, video games and other sedentary activities to encourage more exercise. If diet and exercise do not produce results, consult a physician for advice.