Risks and consequences of childhood and adolescent obesity

This report reviews the risks and consequences associated with childhood an d adolescent obesity. Although no consensus definition of childhood obesity exists, the various measures encountered in the literature are moderately well correlated. The paper is organized in three parts. The first section r eviews childhood obesity sequelae that occur during childhood. These short- term risks, for orthopedic, neurological, pulmonary, gasteroenterological, and endocrine conditions, although largely limited to severely overweight c hildren, are becoming more common as the prevalence of severe overweight ri ses. The social burden of pediatric obesity, especially during middle child hood and adolescence, may have lasting effects on self-esteem, body image a nd economic mobility. The second section examines the intermediate conseque nces, such as the development of cardiovascular risk factors and persistenc e of obesity into adulthood. These mid-range effects of early obesity presa ge later adult disease and premature mortality. In the final section, the s mall body of research on the long-term morbidity and mortality associated w ith childhood obesity is reviewed. These studies suggest that risk of cardi ovascular disease and all-cause mortality is elevated among those who were overweight during childhood. The high prevalence and dramatic secular trend toward increasing childhood obesity suggest that without aggressive approa ches to prevention and treatment, the attendant health and social consequen ces will be both substantial and long-lasting.