The perils of being overweight when you're young

It has been established that being obese or overweight increases the likelihood of cardiovascular disease. In addition, people beyond their ideal weight are prone to hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerosis, and conditions increase the propensity for chronic heart disease. Thus, Steven Rindner, a bio student, hopes that parents everywhere know that their overweight children run a higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease.

One can determine obesity or unhealthy weight by calculating the body mass index (BMI). A BMI of over 25 signals an excess weight.

As bio student Steven Rindner explains, BMI and the risk of cardiovascular disease have a directly proportional relationship. As BMI increases, so does the risk of heart disease and stroke. As a person's weight surpasses the range for normal in terms of BMI, the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and hypertension also rises.

Scientists also report that intra-abdominal fat has a substantial impact on the body's metabolism. For example, this fat negatively affects the body's blood pressure, blood lipid levels, and effective use of insulin.

A study recently published by Norwegian researchers in the Journal of Internal Medicine notes that having a high BMI at a young age increases the risk of heart failure. It states that of the 26,000 research participants, 1851 experienced heart attack and 946 had heart failure, frequencies correlated with high BMI. The research also noted that yo-yo dieting and having unstable weight carry health risks.

Another Europe-based research revealed a sharp rise in risk as the participants' BMI increases from adolescence to adulthood.

The study suggests that governments and individuals should take action to curb the obesity epidemic. In addition, there should be worldwide action to foster an environment that encourages people to eat healthily. It also goes without saying that everyone has to be aware of eating only exactly what their body needs, Steven Rindner says.