Heart Disease Caused by Childhood Obesity“In 2012, more than one-third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese.” (CDC) Childhood obesity is a problem that has inundated society for many decades. Almost everywhere you go, you will see a magazine article or some sort of poster regarding childhood obesity. Childhood obesity can be defined as a condition in which excess body fat negatively affects the health or well-being of the child. Most adults worry about their weight because self-image is a very important factor in their lives, but when it comes to children, many pay minimal attention to their weight. Due to the unnecessary increase in the number of obese children over the past two decades, doctors and clinicians have become concerned about this trend. This concern is raised by the various diseases and health problems that accompany childhood obesity. Childhood obesity puts children at greater risk of developing health problems and heart disease. Obesity is strongly associated with heart and blood vessel disease in many ways (Smith 5). First, obese people are more likely to develop atherosclerosis, which is a hardening of the arteries that occurs when there is a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances in the body. There is evidence that atherosclerosis is more prevalent in individuals who are obese than in individuals who are not. This condition can lead to a myocardial infarction or what we call a heart attack. After a heart attack it is very difficult to recover, especially for a child. Following a heart attack, the heart is damaged and may not be able to pump sufficient amounts of blood throughout the body, and death or disability may result. Secondly, since body fat is... middle of paper... .rts suggested that communities and schools get involved by eliminating the amount of vending machines in schools and places within the community. It is also suggested that the government gets involved and lowers the prices of healthy food choices and limits the promotion of unhealthy foods. It is vital that society comes together to help prevent childhood obesity. No child or parent wants to suffer from any type of heart disorder or disease, either now or in the future. Experts have seen the rising obesity rate as a wake-up call to take the “epidemic” of childhood obesity very seriously. Due to the fact that childhood obesity is interconnected with so many health problems, it significantly affects lifespan. Childhood obesity can be prevented and it needs to be prevented to save the lives and future lives of children.