Abstract
Childhood obesity is one of the most challenging problem of the 21st century. The prevalence has increased, reaching an alarming rate. Furthermore, the problem is global and is also affecting low- and middle-income countries. This global obesity epidemic explains how the roots of cardiovascular disease, the most common cause of mortality among adults, begin in childhood. Overweight and obese children are likely to stay obese into adulthood and to develop noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age. Thus, prevention should be the major goal and should start early in life. The aim of this review is to present an updated framework of the current understanding of the cardiovascular and metabolic risks in obese children and adolescents and to discuss the available therapeutic options.
Highlights
Obesity is a multifactorial disease and various genetic, behavioural and sociocultural characteristics can affect its development [1]
Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) correlates with the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) [6]
Abdominal obesity may be the source of mediators, known as adipocytokines, that induce a condition of insulin resistance (IR), systemic inflammation and sympathetic activation that, in turn, leads to vascular and cardiac remodelling [42] (Figure 1)
Summary
Obesity is a multifactorial disease and various genetic, behavioural and sociocultural characteristics can affect its development [1]. The prevalence of obesity in children and youth has reached dramatic dimensions globally and still remains one of the most challenging problems in developed countries [2]. The Global Burden of Disease Study has presented data according to which the prevalence of childhood obesity has doubled in more than 70 countries since 1980 [3]. This global obesity epidemic explains how the roots of cardiovascular disease, the most common cause of mortality among adults, begin in childhood [4]. The prevention of obesity should be the major goal and should start early in life
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