Medical & Psychosocial Effects

The possible consequences of childhood obesity include reductions in economic status and physical and mental well-being.

The breadth of these consequences spans all areas of life and makes an even stronger point for the necessity of prevention or early detection and treatment.

The economic consequences of overweight in an adult population were estimated at $99.2 billion in 1995 (Wolf 1998), using a prevalence-based approach to the cost of illness, including:

• type 2 diabetes
• coronary heart disease
• hypertension
• gallbladder disease
• breast, endometrial and colon cancer
• osteoarthritis

If the prevalence of childhood obesity continues to rise as it has over the past decades, the prevalence of adult obesity can also be expected to increase, resulting in increased medical costs.

The health consequences of excess weight in childhood can include:

• hypertension
• hypercholesterolemia
• insulin resistance leading to type II diabetes
• hypoventilation disorders such as sleep apnea
• orthopedic and psychological disorders

Obesity related problems can begin during childhood or adolescence, becoming chronic diseases in adulthood if not assessed and treated properly.

Approximately 60% of overweight 5- to 10- year-old children experience at least one associated biochemical or clinical cardiovascular risk factor, such as hyperlipidemia, elevated blood pressure, or increased insulin levels, and 25% have two or more. (Koplan 1999)

Childhood overweight is associated with insulin resistance, particularly among adolescent girls. (Richards 1985) The incidence of children with type 2 diabetes is increasing. A 40-year follow-up study of overweight children shows double the rate of cardiovascular disease and triple the rate of diabetes when compared to normal-weight children. (Mossberg 1989)

Hence, the medical complications of childhood overweight are far-reaching, but are usually preventable when weight is controlled.

Childhood overweight not only has an impact on medical conditions, but also on emotional development.

A historic study showed that obese children are uniformly ranked by other children as the least desirable friends. (Richards M 1961 & Madison 1968) Obese individuals are often described as lazy, dirty, dumb and deceitful. These descriptions are made by children as young as 6 years old. (Kilpatrick 1978 & Caskey 1971)

Childhood is a critical time for the development of self-esteem, and not surprising, lower levels are reported in overweight youths. (Klesges 1992)

One study showed self-esteem decreased over a two year period as weight increased. (Klesges 1992) These findings emphasize the need for effective prevention of this increasingly prevalent condition.