Committed to County Employee
Wellness
SEPTEMBER
Childhood
Obesity
Health Effects of Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term
effects on health and well-being.
Immediate health effects:
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Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for
cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high
blood pressure. In a population-based sample of 5 to
17 year-olds, 70% of obese youth had at least one risk
factor for cardiovascular disease.
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Obese adolescents are more likely to have pre-diabetes,
a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a
high risk for development of diabetes.
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Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater
risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and
social and psychological problems such as stigmatization
and poor self-esteem.
Long-term health effects:
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Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to
be obese as adults and are therefore more at risk for
adult health problems such as heart disease, type 2
diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and
osteoarthritis. One study showed that children who
became obese as early as age 2 were more likely to be
obese as adults.
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Overweight and obesity are associated with increased
risk for many types of cancer, including cancer of the
breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, pancreas,
gall bladder, thyroid, ovary, cervix, and prostate, as
well as multiple myeloma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Prevention
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Healthy
lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical
activity, can lower the risk of becoming obese
and developing related diseases.
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The dietary and physical activity behaviors of
children and adolescents are influenced by many sectors
of society, including families, communities, schools,
child care settings, medical care providers, faith-based
institutions, government agencies, the media, and the
food and beverage industries and entertainment
industries.
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Schools play a particularly critical role by
establishing a safe and supportive environment with
policies and practices that support healthy behaviors.
Schools also provide opportunities for students to learn
about and practice healthy eating and physical activity
behaviors.
Learn more about preventing childhood
obesity:
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