Obesity - Consequences

Obesity has significant medical consequences, especially for adults, but also for children and adolescents. Among adults, obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease, myocardial infarction (heart attack), strokes, cancer, and many other diseases. During adolescence and childhood, obesity can contribute to problems of the joints, especially the hips, knees, and spine, and more difficulty with chronic illnesses, such as asthma. Obesity affects the endocrine system, leading to changes in sex hormones, adrenal hormones, and the ability to respond appropriately to insulin. Type II diabetes has become more common during adolescence as the prevalence of obesity has increased. Sleep apnea, due to obstructed breathing during sleep, is more common among obese children and adolescents.

The psychological consequences of obesity are very important during childhood and adolescence. Though some studies have found similar prevalence of psychological problems in obese and normal weight children, obese children are often teased by other children, excluded from peer group activities, picked last (if at all) for sports teams, and shunned during social activities. Stigmatization of obesity is commonplace throughout the media, especially television, movies, and popular magazines. Unfortunately, poor self-esteem, depression, and the development of eating disorders occur often in individuals with histories of obesity. Obese adults are even discriminated against when they apply for jobs and during the application process for college.