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Health and Social Consequences of Overweight and Obesity
The health problems associated with accelerated weight gain in children include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Fatty liver (which may lead to cirrhosis which is a type of serious liver disease)
- Obstructive sleep apnea (not breathing for at least ten seconds during sleep)
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Orthopedic disorders (bone and joint disorders)
- Asthma
- In addition to these health risks, overweight children tend to go through puberty earlier. There are also social consequences of being an overweight child which can lead to low self-esteem and a decreased quality of life. Overweight children and adolescents are often targets of early social discrimination. Some research indicates that the psychological stress of social labeling can cause low self-esteem which, in turn, can effect academic and social functioning which may continue into adulthood.
Lucille Beseler, MS, RD, LD/N, CDE is a Registered Licensed Dietitian and a Certified Diabetes Educator with a Masters of Science Degree in Nutrition. She is the founder of the Family Nutrition Center of South Florida where her practice strongly believes that better health can be achieved through good nutrition. To purchase her book, "Nurturing with Nutrition", an essential guide for feeding infants and toddlers, visit www.nutritionandfamily.com.
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