OBESITY 137blunt; sometimes the playground can be a merciless place. Overweight
children find it more difficult to make friends and are often thought of
as lazy and sloppy. They are more likely to have behavioral and learning
difficulties, and the low self-esteem likely to be formed during adoles-
cence can last forever.^3
Young people who are overweight also are highly likely to face a host
of medical problems. They often have elevated cholesterol levels, which
can be a predictor for any number of deadly diseases. They are more
likely to have problems with glucose intolerance, and, consequently,
diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, formerly seen only in adults, is skyrocketing
among adolescents. (See chapters seven and nine for a more thorough
discussion of childhood diabetes.) Elevated blood pressure is nine times
more likely to occur among obese kids. Sleep apnea, which can cause
neuro-cognitive problems, is found in one in ten obese children. A wide
variety of bone problems is more common in obese kids. Most impor-
tantly, an obese young person is much more likely to be an obese adult, 3
greatly increasing the likelihood of lifelong health problems.CONSEQUENCES FOR THE ADULT
If you 'are obese, you may not be able to do many things that could make
your life more enjoyable. You may find that you cannot play vigorously
with your grandchildren (or your children), walk long distances, par-
ticipate in sports, find a comfortable seat in a movie theatre or airplane
or have an active sex life. In fact, even sitting still in a chair may be im-
possible without experienCing back or jOint pain. For many, standing is
hard on the knees. Carrying around too much weight can dramatically
affect physical mobility, work, mental health, self-perception and social
life. So you see, this isn't about death; it really is about missing many of
the more enjoyable things in life.^4
Clearly no one desires to be overweight. So why is it that two out of
three adult Americans are overweight? Why is one-third of the popula-
tion obese?
The problem is not a lack of money. In 1999, medical care costs relat-
ing to obesity alone were estimated to be $70 billion.^5 In 2002, a mere
three years later, the American Obesity Association listed these costs at
$100 billion.^6 This is not all. Add another $30-40 billion out-of-pocket
money that we spend trying to keep off the weight in the first place.^5
Going on special weight-loss diet plans and popping pills to cut our ap-
petites or rearrange our metabolism have become a national pastime.