Childhood obesity: normal variant or serious illness?

Obesity is a serious medical issue. Problems that develop in children with a high body mass index include high blood pressure, asthma, and cardiovascular disease at a young age. Obese children also have less upper body strength and decreased endurance. Early weight gain in the first week of life predicts later obesity. More televisions in the house and greater television watching also correlate with more obesity. Although male and female children rarely meet the minimum suggested amounts of nutrients, they exceed the suggested number of calories. Managing obesity should start before the teenage years. Food education has been shown to be an effective method of weight control.