Last week, HALO’s Dr. Kristi Adamo was interviewed by Nutrition Remarks about the potential health risks that children can be exposed to due to mothers’ obesity status and obesogenic home environment.

From the interview:

Question from Nutrition Remarks: What are the statistics of major health risks associated with childhood obesity?

Answer from Dr. Adamo: In 2002, the World Health Organization reported pediatric obesity to be the most prevalent, non-communicable disease in developed countries and for many children, obesity can be more than an aesthetic condition. If untreated, obesity-related risk factors such as sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes to name a few co-morbidities can develop in children. Population-based data from the Bogalusa Heart Study have shown that 70% of obese youth (5- 17 years old) had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, these children are also at greater risk of bone and joint problems and children struggling with obesity are likely to carry their excess adiposity into adulthood. According to the Center of Disease Control, an estimated four of every five obese children will remain obese as adults, increasing their risk of chronic obesity and obesity-related disease (e.g. heart disease, diabetes, stroke, osteoarthritis and certain cancers). Many groups have also studied the psychosocial effects of childhood obesity. Evidence suggests that overweight children frequently develop negative self-image and low self-esteem accompanied by sadness, loneliness, nervousness and risk-taking behaviors in later part of the life. It is clear that obesity is associated with considerable health care burden. For example, obese children in the U.S. (research by Finkelstein and Trasande), Germany (research by Wenig and Breitfelder) and Canada (research by Kuhle) have proven to visit their pediatrician more often than children of healthy weight.

Click here to read the interview in full.