Exactly why is it dangerous for your child to carry too much weight? The most immediate and serious consequence is the possibility of weight-related health problems. Excess fat ultimately requires that your child's heart work harder. Being overweight can also prevent her from getting a good night's sleep, and it puts a strain on her musculoskeletal system. There are psychological consequences as well. Overweight children frequently experience significant emotional turmoil as they attempt to cope with teasing and bullying from insensitive peers. They must also battle doubts about their own self-image and abilities.

Childhood Weight and Health Problems

A host of health problems are associated with excess weight. These include the following:

• Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. Extra weight comes with associated insulin resistance. Though diabetes was once an adult-only disease, prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes are now more common among children and adolescents. In 2004, the CDC predicted that one in three children born in 2000 would develop Type 2 diabetes.

• Acanthosis nigricans. This ailment, which involves darkening and thickening of the folds of the skin (for instance, at the neck and/or armpits), is also associated with insulin resistance.

• Fatty liver disease. Also called hepatic steatosis, this condition involves fat accumulation in the liver, and can result in inflammation and scarring (i.e., cirrhosis) of the liver.

• Hypertension. Overweight children are more likely to have hypertension, or high blood pressure. Hypertension in youth is a strong predictor of the same condition in adulthood.

• Hyperlipidemia. This condition is indicated by a poor cholesterol profile, characterized by elevated LDL (bad) cholesterol and/or triglycerides, and low HDL (good) cholesterol.

• Cholecystitis. This condition is indicated by inflammation of the gallbladder. According to the CDC, half of all cases of cholecystitis in adolescents are weight-related.

• Obstructive sleep apnea. Breathing is disrupted during sleep due to a blockage of the airway. (See Chapter 15 for more information.)

• Orthopedic problems. Overweight children may be placing undue stress on the musculoskeletal system, resulting in knee problems and other orthopedic conditions.

• Pseudotumor cerebri. Here, headache and nausea are caused by increased pressure on the brain.

• Early puberty. Although this is not always a serious medical problem, overweight girls are more likely to experience early puberty.

Emotional Trauma

It is heartbreaking to watch your child struggle with the self-image issues, depression, and anxiety that often accompany a weight problem. Overweight teens are more likely to be teased than their peers. They're also more likely to have suicidal thoughts. Weight-related teasing can be a major blow to any child's sense of self-esteem, particularly if the taunting is persistent. Kids who are teased about their size report being depressed more often than their thinner peers, and they also perceive themselves as having a poorer quality of life.