Child Obesity is becoming a national concern for the last few decades and is getting worse every year. Many doctors are very troubled by this trend and are working on ways to fix this issue.
Child obesity affects children and youth in so many ways. Obesity in childhood is connected to many different health related problems. Some of the health problems are asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and even social discrimination.
One of the main issues is that if a child has obesity issues, these can carry on into adulthood.
Obesity in children has one side affect besides health affects. The Psychological affects of being over weight makes kids easy targets of social discrimination. This stress of social discrimination can cause low self esteem, which is very hard in young kids, and will carry on into adulthood.
Cardiovascular Disease risks in very high is children. In a recent study it was found that almost 60% of obese children age 5 to 17 year olds had at least one risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol or abnormal glucose tolerance. At least 25% of the children had at least two or more of these rick factors.
There are other health risks associated with obesity in children. Sleep apnea is not that common in kids, but can still be an issue with about 7% of kids. Hepatic Steatosis in another health issue associated with obesity. It is an fatty degeneration of the liver.
Type 2 diabetes in being diagnosed by doctors in children who are overweight. Asthma is also being diagnosed by doctors as more studies are showing that there is a connection between children being overweight and asthma.
So we all need to work with our Kids eating healthy food and keep they active. Start eating healthy at home and help them stay active. Tip: I know kids can end up loving playing video games on their computer, but keep track of their computer usage and make them get outside to play and run around.