Age-Related Consequences of Childhood Obesity

Abstract

The severity and frequency of childhood obesity has increased significantly over the past three to four decades. The health effects of increased body mass index as a child may significantly impact obese youth as they age. However, many of the long-term outcomes of childhood obesity have yet to be studied. This article examines the currently available longitudinal data evaluating the effects of childhood obesity on adult outcomes. Consequences of obesity include an increased risk of developing the metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and its associated retinal and renal complications, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, obstructive sleep apnea, polycystic ovarian syndrome, infertility, asthma, orthopedic complications, psychiatric disease, and increased rates of cancer, among others. These disorders can start as early as childhood, and such early onset increases the likelihood of early morbidity and mortality. Being obese as a child also increases the likelihood of being obese as an adult, and obesity in adulthood also leads to obesity-related complications. This review outlines the evidence for childhood obesity as a predictor of adult obesity and obesity-related disorders, thereby emphasizing the importance of early intervention to prevent the onset of obesity in childhood.

Endothelial and Metabolic Function Interactions in Overweight/Obese Children:

“…Total adiponectin and multimeric high-molecubolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, and polycystic ovarian syndrome 4) . Obesity increases lipid peroxidation and induces persistent platelet activation, affecting the vascular endothelial function and probably conferring premature atherogenicity 5) .…”

Overweight-Obesity Prevalence in Children of North-West Italy: Efficacy of Counselling

“…These last parameters, according to the most recent literature data [6][7][8], allow a more reliable quantification and stratification of both cardiovascular risk and metabolic syndrome [9][10][11][12]. Because it is internationally admitted that cut-offs must be specific for each population [13], a waist-height ratio cut-off equal to or higher than 0.50 for overweight children and 0.60 for obese children [14,15] was decided, in agreement with the literature specific for the Italian population. Yet, the waist/height ratio assessment was narrowed to the 5-6 and 8-9 age ranges, as we found that this measurement was not connected with the BMI in the 3-4 age range children [16].…”

A Customized Intervention Program Aiming to Improve Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Among Preschool Children: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Iran Healthy Start Study) (Preprint)

“…[2] Among the NCDs risk factors, obesity needs particular attention, since metabolic syndrome and diabetes are directly associated with obesity. [3,4] Early childhood obesity is associated with a higher risk of developing NCDs at a younger age and premature death in adulthood, [5,6] since adiposity tracks into adulthood. [7] Prevention of childhood obesity is a key approach to the primary prevention of noncommunicable diseases.…”