Obese children exhibit significantly higher blood lipid levels than their normal-weight peers, and dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis.
2. Hyperinsulinemia
Hyperinsulinemia is common among obese children. To maintain glucose metabolism, the body is forced to secrete large amounts of insulin over the long term, leading to pancreatic insufficiency and ultimately diabetes.
3. Predisposition to Fatty Liver Disease
The incidence of fatty liver disease reaches as high as 80% among severely obese children. Childhood obesity is a major risk factor for developing fatty liver disease, with hypertension and hyperlipidemia serving as warning signs for its onset in obese children.
4. Increased susceptibility to respiratory diseases
Accumulated chest wall fat in obese children restricts thoracic expansion, reduces compliance, and limits diaphragmatic movement. This impairs pulmonary ventilation, lowers respiratory tract resistance, and increases susceptibility to respiratory illnesses.
5. Increased susceptibility to digestive system diseases
The prevalence of digestive system diseases among obese children is 15%, significantly higher than that of normal-weight children (4%).
6. Impaired immune function
Obese children exhibit impaired immune function, particularly marked by reduced cellular activity, making them prone to infectious diseases.
7. Premature Puberty
Male obese children exhibit significantly higher blood testosterone levels, while females show elevated serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels compared to normal children. Increased body fat stimulates greater adrenal hormone secretion, lowering the hypothalamus's sensitivity to circulating sex hormone thresholds and triggering premature puberty.Premature sexual development can trigger sexual awareness, leading to confusion, fear, anxiety, and other negative psychological states related to sexuality at an early age, which can impact children's learning and daily life.
8. Lower IQ
Obese children exhibit lower overall IQ and operational IQ compared to healthy peers. Their reduced activity, learning, and social skills may eventually lead to depression and low self-esteem. This makes children sensitive to interpersonal relationships, introverted, and less socially adaptable, adversely affecting their mental health.