Reports continue to show that American children are continuing to be obese. What is more alarming is what this extra weight is really doing to our children's bodies. Obesity in childhood can lead to serious and life threatening illness in adulthood. Recent studies show that one-third or 25 million American children are now considered obese. Here are some of the health complications that childhood obesity can cause:
• Obese children have an alarming higher rate of heart disease than children who are not overweight.
• A child's life expectancy can be lowered by three to five years if excess weight is not lost.
• Obesity can affect every single organ in a child's body. This is far more dangerous than with an adult because their systems are still growing and developing.
• One third of obese children have extra fat in their liver, this can lead to life threatening liver diseases.
• Obese children have a much higher rate of diabetes, both in childhood and as they become adults.
• Children that are obese also have a higher risk of sleep apnea. This can lead to interrupted sleep and fatigue.
• Stoke and heart attack in middle age is much more likely for a child that is obese than a child that is at a healthy weight.
• Extra weight can add pressure to the brain, which will cause headaches or issues with vision.
• Children that are obese are more likely to deal with gallstones and other digestive tract complications.
• Acid reflux is an issue for obese children because of the pressure on their digestive system.
• Obesity causes extra pressure on bones and joints. This can cause all sorts of complications from flat feet to dislocation in the hip socket.
On top of all of these physical issues obesity can also prey on your child's self esteem and confidence. Children that are overweight deal with ridicule when with other children. This can make their social skills suffer. It has been proven that kids dealing with obesity also are more likely to suffer from depression. Even with more overweight kids in schools, kids that are obese still get teased and picked on by other students.
Some of the signs that you child could be headed towards obesity are many. There are things that you can do to help them stay on a healthy track. Sitting in front of a television or video game is one important issue related to obesity. Kids who sit around and stare into electronic are not only rotting their brains, but they are damaging their bodies. If you have a family history of obesity this is another red flag for your children. Eating patterns are also part of the problem. If your child does not eat vegetables, but will shovel in the sugary and fatty foods, this is another area to watch and be concerned about.
There are so many dangers from obesity in childhood, but there are things that you can do to prevent it. Helping your child to be healthy is part of your job as a parent. You are helping to set patterns that will be with them for the rest of their lives.
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