Consequences of Childhood Obesity
Childhood Obesity Study Aim
The recent epidemic of childhood obesity has raised concern over the possible
clinical and public health effects. The aim of the present study was to
systematically review and critically appraise the evidence on the consequences
of childhood obesity, in 3 areas: health consequences for the obese child;
health consequences for adults who were obese as children; social and
economic consequences for adults who were obese as children.
Childhood Obesity Study Method
We searched the literature to September 2000, and formally appraised it
using published methodology. Studies were rated by two independent reviewers
as most or all quality criteria met, low risk of bias (++); some criteria
not met, low risk of bias (+); few or no quality criteria met, high risk
of bias (-); reject. Studies were excluded if they did not define obesity,
or used subjective assessments to define it. In most cases studies included
in the review defined obesity as BMI >95th percentile.
Childhood Obesity Study Results
In childhood, a small body of high quality (2+) evidence supports the
view that obesity is associated with psychological/psychiatric problems.
A large body of high quality evidence found that obesity was associated
with the presence and clustering of cardiovascular risk factors in children.
A large body of poor quality evidence suggests adverse effects on other
systems (e.g. respiratory, hepatic), but this is less well established.
Two high quality (2+) studies have shown that adult social and economic
outcomes are adversely affected by adolescent obesity. Three high quality
(2+) studies have shown that obesity in childhood tends to persist. A
large number of high quality (2++ and 2+) studies have shown that adults
who were obese in childhood have adverse cardiovascular risk factor profiles,
though only 1 high quality study has shown a link between obesity in early
adulthood and adult morbidity or premature mortality.
Childhood Obesity Study Conclusion
In conclusion, childhood obesity has a major adverse impact on short and
long-term health, and on social and economic success in adult life. Taken
together, this evidence makes a compelling case for early prevention of
obesity.
Source: Dr John Reilly, Department of Human
Nutrition, University of Glasgow, UK (2002)
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