Children can experience many complications related to their obesity, and it is important to understand these long-term effects on their bodies. Childhood obesity has been shown to persist into adulthood, leading to increased morbidity and early mortality for affected individuals. Diseases historically unknown in pediatrics are occurring more and more frequently. Metabolic syndrome was once a predictor of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in adults, but has recently been used in pediatrics. Pediatric patients with a diagnosis of a metabolic disorder tend to be obese, sedentary, and have signs of insulin resistance and hypertension. Metabolic syndrome increases by 16% in children (Malek, 2010, p.1) and is a precursor to type II diabetes. Rates of type II diabetes in children are increasing dramatically; 85% of children with type II diabetes are overweight or obese (Waldman & Perlman, 2007, p.12). According to Waldman and Perlman (2007), approximately two-thirds of diabetics die from stroke or heart disease (p.12). Obese children face these serious cardiovascular disorders and the need for treatment with antihypertensives, insulin, and other drug regimens. Diabetics are also at risk of blindness, kidney failure, nervous system damage, and periodontal disease (Waldman and Perlman, 2007, p.12). Waldman and Perlman (2007) also stated that as a child's weight increases, so does the risk of death, and "more than 300,000 deaths per year will be attributed to obesity" (p. 13) . New pediatric diagnoses have encouraged more research on the topic. effects of childhood obesity. Kelly and Reilly (2011) explored nine such studies, each pointing to obesity as the cause of significant morbidity in adulthood (p. 3). Diabetes, heart disease... middle of paper ...... reduce obesity-related morbidity. Policy makers and health care providers need to be aware of the seriousness of childhood obesity so that favorable changes can be made to reduce childhood obesity. If they do not fully understand its severity, supportive social policies cannot be implemented to support obesity prevention. Most obesity-related complications are chronic and require lifelong symptom management. Obesity creates a very poor prognosis for the future generation: it is essential that everyone recognizes and recognizes this epidemic in order to improve the health of the future population. Works Cited Kelly, J. and Reilly, JJ (2011). Long-term impact of overweight and obesity during childhood and adolescence on morbidity and premature mortality in adulthood: systematic review. International Journal of Obesity, 35(7), 891-898. doi:10.1038/ijo.2010.222