Childhood obesity has increased threefold over the last 30 years and is now so prevalent, that today’s youth run a greater risk of dying before their parents.

Around one in three children in the US are either overweight or obese and according to the American Heart Organization, have an 80 percent chance of remaining that way for the rest of their lives.

This not only places them at greater risk of obesity-related health complications, they face an overall reduced life expectancy. Obese children have a greater chance of experiencing one or more of the following obesity-related diseases, most of which can be avoided by changing lifestyle habits.


Cardiovascular diseases

Obese children are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. These are both major contributors to heart disease, the number one cause of death in the US. The longer obesity is allowed to continue, the greater the risk. However, these risks can be greatly reduced by eating a healthy diet, exercising and losing weight.

Increased cancer risk

Teenagers who are obese by the time they are 18 years old, have a greater chance of suffering from cancer later in life. A study monitoring 19,593 male graduates who studied at Harvard University between 1916 and 1950, found that those with the highest body mass index (BMI) at the age of 18, were 35 percent more likely to die from cancer than those with lower BMIs. Cancers most likely to strike include cancer of the lung, skin, esophagus, kidney, bladder and testicular cancer.

Type II diabetes

Diabetes was rarely seen in children and those that did have it during childhood, generally had type I or juvenile-onset diabetes. However, cases of type II diabetes (once known as adult-onset diabetes) have been steadily rising among US children and appears to be connected to rising levels of obesity. Diabetes in children can be hard to detect, but if left untreated, can lead to serious diabetes-related complications including eye, foot and skin problems. They may also have to take medication for the rest of their life. Keeping children’s weight within the normal range can help avoid such illnesses.

Poor oral health

Obese children generally consume more of the wrong types of food. This includes unhealthy snacks which are high in sugar and/or fat. Sodas are also a major contributor to the sugar intake of children and teenagers. Unless they're cleaning their teeth several times a day, their teeth will start to suffer from cavities and tooth erosion, simply because of this continual exposure of their teeth to sugar. Ultimately this can lead to a lifetime of expensive dental work.

Psychological problems

The effects of obesity in children and teenagers stretches well beyond the physical complications. Children who are overweight may be more likely to suffer from self esteem issues, depression or anxiety. Children who lack confidence due to their weight, may suffer from teasing or bullying from their peers, which may result in a long term, unhealthy relationship with food.

Reasons for childhood obesity

The increases in childhood obesity are thought to be due to a combination of factors. Possibly the greatest contributor is the pattern of unhealthy eating habits among children, where access to high calorie foods is easier than ever before. Then there is the shift in lifestyle habits. Children today tend to be ferried around in cars rather than walking or cycling.

And of course, there is the general increase in sedentary activities such as watching television and playing computer games. Furthermore, children who have two obese parents are 80 percent more likely to be obese themselves, or 50 percent with just one obese parent.

Suffering from obesity at any stage in life harbors significant health risks. But when children are obese, health complications can not only start early, they’re likely to suffer for longer. Considering children are the future, it’s vital that they are given the best start in life and this means ensuring they are eating a healthy diet from a young age.

A reduced life expectancy for obese children isn't a foregone conclusion. While they’re young, there is still time to re-educate their eating habits and change their lifestyles to give them the best chance of living a long and healthy life.