Weight Loss

Your obese child may look cute with that puppy fat but he is at constant risk of numerous health hazards. Here are some of the health risks and dangers that your child may be inviting due to childhood obesity.

Heart diseases
Obesity is directly linked with heart diseases. Atherosclerosis or the condition of narrowing down of arteries, which is the most common cause of heart diseases, exists in obese children as well.  

Hypertension
Obese children have far more higher blood pressures as compared to children with ideal weight. As per recent studies and research, the prevalence of hypertension is nine times more in obese children. As compared to children with normal weight, obese children are 2.4 times more likely to suffer from diastolic blood pressure and 4.5 times more likely to suffer from systolic blood pressure.

Asthma
This is one of the most common health problems found in overweight and obese children. Depending upon the body weight, asthma can vary from moderate to severe levels.

Type 2 diabetes
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in children is primarily due to obesity. Children who are obese and have a family history of type 2 diabetes run a greater risk of developing the problem. Obese children are 12.6 times more prone to developing type 2 diabetes as compared to normal children.

Orthopedic problems
Excessive weight often results in bone deformations in children. Since the bones of a child are not strong enough to bear excessive weight, obese children often tend to suffer from various orthopedic complications. It is due to this reason that children suffering from obesity may have leg bones that are slightly bent and may suffer from pain around the hip area.

Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea refers to difficulty in breathing or lack of respiration during sleep. Almost 7person of children suffering from obesity suffer from sleep apnea.

Early puberty
This is particular relevant in the case of girls who are overweight. Excessive weight can cause hormonal imbalance which may lead to early puberty. Obesity may also lead to an irregular menstrual cycle in girls at a later stage in life.

Liver problems
Obese children are at a higher risk of developing liver problems. A liver problem called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is more prevalent in obese children.

Gallstones
As compared to normal children, the incidence of gallstones is more common in obese children.

Depression and psychological effects
Childhood obesity not only affects your child physically but psychologically as well. Obese children have a low self esteem and hence tend to avoid social settings. They also suffer from depression and may also be a victim of various behavioral problems.

If you want to keep your child away from all these health risks, then help him get rid of obesity now.