According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, 13 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 11 were overweight in 1999. That same year, 14 percent of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 were overweight. Many of these children were not only overweight, but actually obese. Obesity is a growing epidemic, and unfortunately children are not immune. In order to avoid the negative physical and emotional consequences that obesity can cause, parents, teachers, and other caregivers must learn how to prevent and treat childhood obesity.

The Medical Problems of Obesity

Obesity can result in a plethora of health problems, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. Although these health problems are normally thought to only affect adults, children are susceptible. In recent years, the number of children who suffer from type 2 diabetes has increased substantially, and obesity is the cause. The health problems that children develop can affect them for the rest of their lives. Even if overweight children do not develop health problems in their youth, they are likely to suffer from obesity and related illnesses as adults. The United States Department of Health and Human Services has determined that overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance of suffering from weight problems as adults.

The Emotional Problems of Obesity

In addition to the serious health consequences, childhood weight problems can also lead to severe emotional problems. Teasing and bullying are unfortunately common aspects of childhood, and overweight children are especially susceptible. Although some people consider such harassment a normal part of being a kid, the effects can be devastating.

After being mercilessly teased, some children will go to dangerous lengths to lose weight; some will develop anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Other children begin binge eating, causing them to gain even more weight and increase the emotional and physical problems they were already experiencing.