The roots of adult disease

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The evidence continues to mount that the obesity epidemic in children will result in cardiovascular disease in young adults. The article by Thompson et al confirms this alarming possibility. Seven to ten percent of white girls and 17 to 24 percent of black girls were found to be overweight, and those young women were 11 to 30 times more likely to be obese as young adults. In addition, they were very likely to have increased percent body fat, skinfold thickness, and waist circumferences, all of which are associated with the metabolic syndrome. Finally, they also were at risk for having elevations in their blood pressure and triglycerides and lower HDL cholesterol values. This study supports the notion that prevention of adolescent obesity is important, not only for the adolescent but for the young adult that will emerge from adolescence.