There are two primary effects of childhood obesity - they are health related and emotional pain. Childhood obesity can be a dangerous two-fold problem. Obesity is a condition where excess body fat negatively affects both a child's health and emotional well being.

The Physical Effects:

First, obese children can develop serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease, often carrying these conditions into an obese adulthood. Overweight children are at higher risk of developing:

• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Asthma and other respiratory problems
• Sleep disorders
• Liver disease
• Early puberty
• Eating disorders

The Emotional and Psychological Effects:

Other risks of obesity include the emotional and psychological effects on children. Children feel shame about being overweight or obese that can negatively impact their school work and their social standing. For example, many times a child has to deal with social discrimination which often times develops a low self esteem and self-blame.

Kids who are unhappy with their weight may be more likely than average-weight kids to develop unhealthy eating habits and they may be more prone to depression, as well as substance abuse.

Being overweight can cause:

1. Low self-esteem and bullying
2. Behavior and learning problems
3. Stress and anxiety
4. Comfort eating
5. Depression

Some children and teens eat more than usual when they are bored, angry, or stressed. Over time, the overeating leads to weight gain and tends to bring on obesity. Some children overeat to cope with problems or to deal with emotions, such as stress or boredom. Children who experience psychological abuse from their peers often develop extremely low self-esteem, which may eventually evolve into depression. Obese children often feel isolated and lonely.

Children's Health In the United States

1. The average 10-year-old girl weighed 77 pounds in 1963; today, 88. The average 10-year-old boy weighed 74; today, 85.
2. Even more than smoking or drinking, obesity triggers significant health problems.
3. Only 2 percent of U.S. children eat a healthy diet as defined by the USDA.
4. "Husky" car seats were developed several years ago. In 2006, more than 250,000 children under 6 exceeded the weight standards for regular seats.
5. Soft-drink consumption has increased 300 percent in 20 years, and is the leading source of added sugars for adolescents.
6. One-fourth of all vegetables eaten in the U.S. are french fries or chips.
7. One-fourth of all Americans eat fast food at least once a day.
8. Children and teens consume 20 percent more calories than a generation ago.

Parents, if your child is seriously overweight or obese, be aware that you have many choices and solutions available to you. As a parent of an obese child or adolescent the most effective way to reduce weight is to eat healthy and engage in regular exercise. There are no quick solutions. Obesity in children is a serious condition that needs your attention.

You can get help - start with a comprehensive guide written by an expert in childhood obesity. Julie Pearce, the author of "Overcoming Childhood Obesity" has spent the last several years figuring out how to help parents and children tackle the growing problem of childhood obesity. Get the help you need from this absolutely excellent guide; it has tried-and-tested methods that will help your child or teen out of obesity. It is based on extensive research into this condition that is often under-rated in terms of the damage it does to a child's long term health.

It is absolutely NOT your usual "dry, technical or clinical textbook". It contains key information for anyone who is concerned about their child's weight and overall health ... the information included really WORKS. And you can sign up for a free email newsletter ... it provides current and up to date content about how to successfully combat childhood obesity through working together as a family.

By putting this information into practice, you will be able to help your child bring their weight under control, within healthy guidelines and without making their life a misery. Visit Childhood-obesity.com and see for yourself how you and your teen can benefit from this great book.

Dennis Ward is a free lance writer and researcher into the growing dilemma of childhood and teen obesity.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dennis_Ward