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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Adult obesity and its complications: a pediatric disease?
Sonali Malhotra1,2, Ramya Sivasubramanian1, Vibha Singhal1,2
1Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Massachusetts General Hospital.
Insights
Childhood obesity significantly increases adult risks for serious diseases. Early intervention is key to reducing or reversing these health impacts, improving long-term well-being.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Obesity affects millions globally, with significant mortality from related diseases.
- The age of onset and duration of obesity are critical factors for developing comorbidities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review BMI trajectories from childhood to adulthood.
- To examine comorbidities in adulthood linked to pediatric obesity.
- To highlight the benefits of early intervention for childhood obesity.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on pediatric obesity.
- Analysis of evidence linking childhood obesity to adult health outcomes.
- Discussion of trends in BMI development and associated risks.
Main Results:
- Childhood obesity elevates risks for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.
- Early obesity is associated with reproductive issues, malignancies, asthma, and psychiatric conditions.
- Maternal obesity can lead to transgenerational health impacts.
Conclusions:
- Early identification and aggressive management of childhood obesity are crucial.
- Intervention can reduce, delay, or reverse obesity-related health risks.
- Close monitoring and early treatment are essential for preventing adult comorbidities.
Purpose Of Review:
Approximately 2.6 million people die each year secondary to obesity related diseases. The risk of developing serious comorbidities depends on the age of onset as well as duration of obesity. In this review, we discuss trends in BMI trajectories from early childhood to adulthood with latest evidence on comorbidities in adulthood stemming from pediatric obesity and benefits of early intervention and treatment in childhood obesity.
Recent Findings:
Childhood obesity poses high risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and some types of cancer in adulthood. Early life obesity also increases risks of developing menstrual irregularities, infertility, and pregnancy complications. Several grave concerns including malignancies, autoimmune disorders, higher asthma morbidity, and psychiatric implications are found to be associated with childhood obesity. Disease outcomes can be transgenerational, causing suboptimal health in children of mothers with obesity. Encouragingly, many risks associated with childhood obesity can be reduced, delayed, or even reversed by early resolution of obesity necessitating close BMI monitoring and treatment early.
Summary:
Early identification and aggressive management of childhood obesity is critical in prevention of debilitating comorbidities in adult life.
Video Abstract:
http://links.lww.com/COE/A19.
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