Childhood Obesity and the Dermatological Consequences

Posted by admin on March 3, 2009 under Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

Adult Diseases, Not the Only Problems Facing Children Unable to Maintain a Healthy Weight

The growing problem of childhood obesity has received a tremendous amount of attention over the past few years, as the early onset of diabetes and diseases once only diagnosed in adults are seen by pediatricians at an alarming rate.

Aside from diabetes mellitus, overweight children are also prone to such problems as hypertension and joint pain.

And now dermatologists are reporting increased cases of a skin condition known as acanthosis nigricans (AN) in their obese pediatric patients.

While the exact cause of AN is still being studied, it is believed to be the result of a hormonal stimulation of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor by insulin, or tumor necrosis alpha. It is most commonly seen with elevated fasting insulin concentrations and abnormal glucose tolerance (insulin resistance) similar to that which is seen in obesity.

AN appears as a velvety, tan-colored and thickened wart-like patch. It is usually seen around the neck and skin folds such as the underarms, groin area and breasts.

A recent study in the Journal of Pediatric Dermatology evaluated over 600 children, aged seven to 17 years and found that 32 percent of the children were overweight, 62 percent watched an average of four hours of television a day, and 41 percent had a family history of diabetes mellitus. Of those overweight children identified in the study, 19 percent suffered from AN.

Physicians of every specialty underscore the importance of maintaining a healthy weight in both adults and children. But, the full extent of the damaging affects of some of the diseases diagnosed in adults will actually be realized in the lifetime of an obese child diagnosed with the same condition. The outcome has the potential to be far more dramatic for an obese child.

Creating a healthy lifestyle that includes the right balance of nutrition and exercise will help today’s child – from the inside out - ensuring longevity and quality of life.