The health problems associated with accelerated weight gain in children include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Fatty liver (which may lead to cirrhosis which is a type of serious liver disease)
- Obstructive sleep apnea (not breathing for at least ten seconds during sleep)
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Orthopedic disorders (bone and joint disorders)
- Asthma
In addition to these health risks, overweight children tend to go through puberty earlier. There are also social consequences of being an overweight child which can lead to low self-esteem and a decreased quality of life. Overweight children and adolescents are often targets of early social discrimination. Some research indicates that the psychological stress of social labeling can cause low self-esteem which, in turn, can effect academic and social functioning which may continue into adulthood.
