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Obese Kids Showing Signs of Aged Arteries, Risk for Diabetes Increases
At the American Heart Associations (AHA) annual scientific sessions held November 11 in New Orleans, scientists revealed that obese children and teenagers have carotid artery walls similar to those of an individual nearly three decades older.
Scientists who have been researching the effects of obesity among children and adolescents have deemed the effects detrimental, according to authors of a study conducted by the Stress Testing Laboratory at Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute in New Orleans. Additionally, an associate professor of internal medicine and an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine found during the study that the risk factor of obesity leading to "premature cardiovascular disease in youth" was extremely high and that obesity was more of a risk factor for cardiovascular disease among young males than smoking.
Defining Obesity In America
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), obesity among children and adults is a recently growing epidemic with between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescentsÓ considered obese.
The AACAP defines child obesity as a child whose "weight is at least 10 percent higher than what is recommended for the height and body type." There are several factors that may lead to obesity among a child or adolescent in America including the following, as described by the AACAP:
* poor eating habits * overeating or binging * lack of exercise * family history, genetics * medical illnesses including endocrine or neurological issues * medications such as psychiatric medications or steroids * stressful life events or changes, cultural factors including divorces, parent separations, moves, deaths, or child abuse * family and peer issues * low self-esteem * depression, emotional or behavioral problems
The A
ACAP reported that "a child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80 percent change of becoming an obese adult." Additionally, there are several severe risk factors and complications that can be the result of child obesity including:
* increased risk of cardiovascular or heart disease * difficulties breathing * high blood pressure * difficulties sleeping * diabetes
Diabetes and Treatments
In March 2002 the New England Journal of Medicine reported that approximately "22 million children under five years of age were overweight." Additionally, the Medical College of Wisconsin reported that "childhood obesity is a major health problem and a growing wave of obesity among children is helping fuel a parallel epidemic in the rate of diabetes."
Because diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, is a growing complication of childhood obesity it becomes imperative that a child be cared for and diagnosed properly by a qualified physician who can prescribe a diet and exercise plan as well as potential medications to aid in a child's glucose and insulin regulation if onset of such a condition occurs. However, it is important for parents to note that type 2 diabetes medications may cause severe side effects that could harm a child. For example, the drug Avandia, from GlaxoSmithKline is a type 2 diabetes drug that was recently linked to the development of heart disease and heart failure as well as early onset osteoporosis among patients.
If an individual has been negatively impacted by the Avandia side effects they may be advised to contact a pharmaceutical attorney who can offer a free legal consultation as the development of an Avandia class action lawsuit. Developing such litigation may cause monetary compensation to be awarded to victims of the Avandia risks.
Peter Kent is the best-selling author of 50 books and hundreds of articles for magazines and newspapers. He manages Legalview.com, a website hosting a variety of information on legal issues, including Avandia.
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