health

The likelihood that an obese child will grow into an obese adult
depends on three major factors: the age at which the child became
obese; the severity of the obesity; and the presence of obesity in at least
one parent. Overweight in a child under three years of age does not
mean that the child will necessarily be obese in adult life unless at least
one parent is also obese. After age three, however, the likelihood that
obesity will persist into adulthood increases with the age of the child
and is higher in children of any age who are severely obese. After an
obese child reaches six years of age, the probability that obesity will
persist into adult life is greater than 50 percent; moreover, 70 to 80 percent
of obese adolescents will remain obese as adults. The presence of
obesity in at least one parent increases the risk of obesity in adult life for
children at every age.
Obese children have a poor prognosis for good health in adult life.
They are at increased risk for a number of serious long-term health problems,
including type 2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure),
osteoarthritis, heart attack, stroke, and damage to the eyes, heart, and
kidneys.