Childhood obesity is becoming a serious health problem, with over 25 percent of children considered obese. Obesity in children results in many emotional and physical problems. Emotional problems include altered body image, depression, and poor self-esteem.
Physical concerns are that obese children are more likely to become obese adults.
Adult obesity increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. The more obese a child is and the longer a child remains obese, the more likely the child will become an obese adult. In fact, obesity in adolescence is more related to adult obesity than a child's birth weight. The cause of childhood obesity is poorly understood. Genetics, environment, and social factors are thought to influence childhood obesity.