Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: Childhood obesity has reached an epidemic level in the United States and is close to becoming a pandemic. Approximately eighteen percent of US children are obese; this is more than double the percentage from three decades ago. Obesity is commonly associated with other chronic health conditions which makes it not only a concern for adolescents but adults. Chronic conditions often seen in combination with obesity are hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, sleep apnea, poor self-esteem, and depression. In addition, studies done on adolescents to adulthood showed increase likelihood to suffer from cardiovascular disorders and digestive disease. The combination of childhood obesity and the chronic health conditions ultimately affects that child’s adult health and can potentially affect their life expectancy. The purpose of this literature review is to determine how childhood obesity affects the overall health of an adult and their life expectancy. The literature reveals that an obese child is more prone to adult obesity, cardiovascular risk, premature mortality, and type two diabetes.
Author: Alexis Behl
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3183095352