More than previously thought, the obese child who is a victim of the obesity disease epidemic, faces even greater strife. Although I see the toll it takes in my work with parents and their at risk children, here’s more information based on the science.

The findings of a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, add to the growing evidence of the serious consequences of childhood obesity.

Researchers found that overweight and obese 8-year olds were seven times more likely than their thinner peers to develop three or more heart disease risk factors by the time they were 15-years old.

Heart disease risk factors include high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, elevations in blood sugar and insulin levels.

I can not emphasize stongly enough the need for early parental intervention in preventing and reversing the strife of the obese child.