Effects of obesity on morbidity in children and adolescents.

The rise in the prevalence and severity of pediatric obesity has been accompanied by higher rates of the known correlates of obesity as well as the emergence of new or newly identifiable health conditions. These include the classic cardiovascular risk factors, type 2 diabetes, menstrual abnormalities, sleep-disordered breathing, and psychosocial effects. Although stigmatization of obese children is convincingly documented, the evidence regarding the psychological consequences of child and adolescent obesity is more equivocal. Identification of the full range of health consequences linked to obesity in the pediatric population may help direct resources to its primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.