Childhood Obesity Information For Families

• Obese children are more likely to become obese adults.***   Adult obesity is associated with a number of serious health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.*
• Obese adolescents have an 80% chance of becoming obese adults.*
• If children are overweight, obesity in adulthood is likely to be more severe*

Economic Impact of Childhood Obesity

Obesity-associated annual hospital costs for children and youth more than tripled over two decades, rising from $35 million in 1979-1981 to $127 million in 1997-1999.* But the cost of childhood obesity is more than the economic impact to our society.

Over the next few decades, life expectancy for the average American could decline by as much as 5 years unless aggressive efforts are made to slow rising rates of obesity, according to a team of scientists supported in part by the National Institutes of Health.