Do you have overweight kids?

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More and more children of all ages are overweight than ever before. As a result, weight-related health problems that are typically found in adults are becoming more common in our kids. Overweight children are at risk both for diseases that will affect them in childhood, such as type 2 (previously called "adult-onset") diabetes, and also for health issues that they'll face as adults if they don't lose weight. By reducing your overweight child's weight gain now, or helping him lose weight by eating healthy foods and becoming active, you can lower his risk of developing several serious conditions, including: Diseases that can occur in childhood, including asthma, breathing problems, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, depression, liver and gallbladder diseases, sleep apnea (cessation of breathing during sleep) and more Long-term diseases that occur in adulthood, including cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke), heart failure, respiratory problems, certain cancers, infertility and pregnancy complications, arthritis, and higher risk for sudden death Your child's pediatrician can help determine if your child is overweight and which course of action you can take as a family.