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Impact of Childhood Obesity on the Overall Health
of Children
Childhood obesity is a serious burden not only in early life but also in adulthood.
The consequences of pediatric obesity are classified as short term and long term.
Short-Term Consequences
Short-term consequences occur during the period of childhood or adolescence. It is
linked with multiple comorbidities such as cardiovascular risk factors, asthma, psychological disorders, chronic inflammation, and liver disease [49]. Multiple cardiovascular risk factors are linked with obesity in children. It includes hypertension,
hyperlipidemia, reduced cardiac functioning, and insulin resistance [50]. It is
reported that almost 58% of obese children at least possess one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, if multiple cardiovascular risk factors coexist in an
obese child it is termed as metabolic syndrome. Obese children tend to have an
increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome as compared to healthy children. In
addition, the childhood obesity also accelerates the risk of asthma and respiratory
problems [51].
Long-Term Consequences
Long-term consequences occur in adults who were obese during their childhood or
adolescence stage. It includes cardiovascular disease, cancers, depression, arthritis,
diabetes (type 1 and 2), bone abnormalities, premature mortality, and adverse socioeconomic outcomes [49]. There is a dearth of evidence regarding the long-term
consequences of childhood obesity on comorbidities in later life because of the lack
of follow-ups. However, investigations reveal an association between adolescent
obesity and destructing socio-economic status [51].
Treatment and Management of Childhood Obesity
The most important step in the management of childhood obesity is the avoidance
and removal of EDCs contributing to obesity. It requires extensive knowledge about
these chemicals as well as about products containing EDCs. There is little evidence
available for the treatment of EDC induced childhood obesity. However, several
studies have suggested the following measures to manage pediatric obesity:
10 Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Induced Childhood Obesity
Impact of Childhood Obesity on the Overall Health
of Children
Childhood obesity is a serious burden not only in early life but also in adulthood.
The consequences of pediatric obesity are classified as short term and long term.
Short-Term Consequences
Short-term consequences occur during the period of childhood or adolescence. It is
linked with multiple comorbidities such as cardiovascular risk factors, asthma, psychological disorders, chronic inflammation, and liver disease [49]. Multiple cardiovascular risk factors are linked with obesity in children. It includes hypertension,
hyperlipidemia, reduced cardiac functioning, and insulin resistance [50]. It is
reported that almost 58% of obese children at least possess one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, if multiple cardiovascular risk factors coexist in an
obese child it is termed as metabolic syndrome. Obese children tend to have an
increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome as compared to healthy children. In
addition, the childhood obesity also accelerates the risk of asthma and respiratory
problems [51].
Long-Term Consequences
Long-term consequences occur in adults who were obese during their childhood or
adolescence stage. It includes cardiovascular disease, cancers, depression, arthritis,
diabetes (type 1 and 2), bone abnormalities, premature mortality, and adverse socioeconomic outcomes [49]. There is a dearth of evidence regarding the long-term
consequences of childhood obesity on comorbidities in later life because of the lack
of follow-ups. However, investigations reveal an association between adolescent
obesity and destructing socio-economic status [51].
Treatment and Management of Childhood Obesity
The most important step in the management of childhood obesity is the avoidance
and removal of EDCs contributing to obesity. It requires extensive knowledge about
these chemicals as well as about products containing EDCs. There is little evidence
available for the treatment of EDC induced childhood obesity. However, several
studies have suggested the following measures to manage pediatric obesity:
10 Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Induced Childhood Obesity