Counting cost of obese kids

A big increase in diabetes and other diseases related to childhood obesity in the United States has added millions of dollars to healthcare costs, a study has shown.

"As overweight children become overweight adults, the diseases associated with obesity and healthcare costs are likely to increase even more," said the report from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

The study, published in this month's issue of Pediatrics, said a review of hospital records found "the proportion of discharges with obesity-associated diseases has increased dramatically in the past 20 years".

From 1997 to 1999, such diabetes cases nearly doubled, gallbladder disease cases tripled and sleep apnoea - a breathing disorder linked to obesity - increased fivefold.

Hospital costs for diseases related to childhood obesity increased from US$35 million ($78 million) in 1979 to US$127 million ($285 million) in 1999.

The children in the report ranged in age from 6 to 17. Researchers said the medical community, schools and parents needed to emphasise changes in children's diet and physical activity to correct the situation.

- REUTERS

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