Pediatria pre prax 3/2016

Health and psychosocial consequences of obesity in children and adolescents

Obesity is a health disorder that affects nearly every organ system, including cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, reproductive and respiratory. Obese children and adolescents are at high risk for development of several health conditions as hypertension, dyslipidemia, disturbances in glucose homeostasis incl. type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, obstructive sleep apnea, Blount disease, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, asthma, pseudotumor cerebri and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Consequences of enhanced accumulation of visceral fat in adolescence in association with cardiometabolic health risks have been confirmed in multiple studies conducted both in the Czech Republic and abroad. Obese individuals are predisposed to psychosocial dysfunction, reduced quality of life and social isolation.

Keywords: childhood obesity, obesity complications, cardiovascular risks, metabolic syndrome