The Comorbidities of Childhood Obesity

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a preventable multi-systemic disorder, defined as the body mass index of a child being at or above the 95th percentile, has become an epidemic. In 2019, about 38 million under-five children and over 300 million individuals aged 5-19 were reported to be overweight or obese. In this narrative review, we showed evidences, from existing literature, of the affectation of various body systems by childhood obesity. Co-morbid disorders associated with childhood obesity in the cardiovascular, nervous, dermatological, respiratory, endocrine, reproductive, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and renal systems, and its effects on mental health are discussed. Since obesity ultimately reduces the quality of life of children and is a leading cause of preventable deaths of children globally, effective research, policy and community-based project interventions, aimed at the prevention of obesity and the treatment of its co-morbid disorders, should be taken by all appropriate stakeholders.