There is a troubling realization that overweight and obese youth will almost assuredly grow up to be overweight and obese adults. What lies behind excess body fat for the more than one-third of children who are overweight are a host of physical, psychological, and psychosocial health problems that will undoubtedly remain with the child for much, if not all, of his or her entire life. Obese youth are often bullied by other children and left out of critically important social networks that are so vital to adequate growth and development. This often leads to greater problems in adulthood, including discrimination in the workforce and poorer socioeconomic outcomes. In a British study measuring the quality of life in 126 obese 9-year-old children (55 boys and 71 girls), researchers reported that in all areas of quality of life, ranging from physical and psychosocial health to emotional, social, and school functioning, scores for the obese children were much worse compared to an age-matched control group who were not obese.

To read the entire column, go to http://www.ncpad.org/633/2599/Obesity~Rates~in~Youth~with~Disabilities.