What are the Effects of Obesity?
The increasing rates are a concern not only because overweight children develop problems as children, but also because being overweight as a child has a much more profound effect on future health than does adding weight as an adult. Being obese or overweight increases the risk of many health conditions and diseases, including hypertension, osteoarthritis and other joint conditions, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. Obesity affects children emotionally and psychologically as well. Overweight and obese children cannot play as other children do and struggle to keep up on the playground. The social stigma of being fat affects children’s perception of themselves and can lead to depression. Long-term health problems can adversely affect future employability, health care costs, and productivity in the workplace.
