Overweight Children at an Increased Risk for Heart Disease

At the American Heart Association?s (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 adolescents? considered obese.

According to the AACAP, an overweight or obese child is considered to have 10 percent more body fat than was is recommended for their body type and height." 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 AACAP 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." According to the Medical College of Wisconsin, "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.

Although, individuals who take type 2 diabetes prescription medication may be at risk for developing worse side effects. Avandia is one such drug, for example, that has been linked to dangerous side effects including heart failure and broken bones.

Developing an Avandia class action lawsuit may be an alternative to seeking help after being negatively effected by the Avandia risks. Monetary compensation could be earned for an individual who has suffered from the Avandia dangers.