Highlight 16 - Childhood Obesity & the Early Development of Chronic Diseases

Question 1

When T2 diabetes develops before the age of 20, the incidence of what increases?

Answer 1

The incidence of diabetic kidney disease and death in middle age increases dramatically, largely because of the long duration of the disease

Question 2

T2 diabetes is a chronic disease closely linked with _______.

Answer 2

obesity; Obesity is the most important risk factor for T2 diabetes

Question 3

Early development of T2 diabetes is most likely to occur in those who:

Answer 3

• are obese
• are sedentary
• have a family history of diabetes

Question 4

In T2 diabetes, the cells become ___________

Answer 4

insulin-resistant – that is, the cells become less sensitive to insulin, reducing the amount of glucose entering the cells from the blood

Question 5

The combination of obesity and insulin-resistance produces a cluster of symptoms, including:

Answer 5

high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure. This promotes the development of atherosclerosis and the early development of heart disease

Question 6

The complications of diabetes can shorten __________

Answer 6

life expectancy

Question 7

Prevention and treatment of T2 diabetes depend on ____________, which can be particularly difficult.

Answer 7

weight management

Question 8

Explain the formation of plaques in atherosclerosis.

Answer 8

1. The coronary arteries deliver oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle (a healthy artery provides an open passage for the flow of blood)
2. Plaques can begin to form in a person as young as 15 years
3. When these arteries become blocked by plaque, the part of the muscle that they feed will die (plaques reduce blood blow. Clots can form, aggravating the problem)

Question 9

What is atherosclerosis?

Answer 9

a type of artery disease characterized by plaques (accumulations of lipid-containing material) on the inner walls of the arteries

Question 10

Atherosclerosis develops when regions of _________ become progressively thickened with _______

Answer 10

an artery’s walls; plaque

Question 11

What is plaque?

Answer 11

Plaque is an accumulation of fatty deposits, smooth muscle cells, and fibrous connective tissue

Question 12

How do fatty streaks influence the development of atherosclerosis?

Answer 12

Fatty streaks may begin to accumulate fibrous connective tissues which may begin to calcify, becoming raised lesions. As the lesions begin to grow, the heart disease rate begins to rise

Question 13

As __________ rises, atherosclerosis worsens.

Answer 13

blood cholesterol

Question 14

How does blood cholesterol increase?

Answer 14

Blood cholesterol tends to rise as dietary saturated fat intakes increase

Question 15

Blood cholesterol correlates with ________

Answer 15

childhood obesity, especially abdominal obesity; LDL cholesterol rises and HDL declines

Question 16

What does high blood pressure in children and adolescents signal?

Answer 16

High blood pressure may signal an underlying disease or the early onset of hypertension

Question 17

Childhood hypertension, left untreated, can accelerate the development of ____________

Answer 17

athersclerosis

Question 18

Research has confirmed an association between _________ and physical activity in children, similar to that seen in adults.

Answer 18

blood lipids

Question 19

The benefits of physical activity include:

Answer 19

• better blood lipid profiles
• better weight management
• less smoking
• diet lower in saturated fats

Question 20

For heart health, children should receive at least ___% and no more than ___% of total energy from fat, less than ___% from saturated fat, and less than ___mg of cholesterol per day

Answer 20

25%; 30%; 10%; 300mg

Question 21

What foods contribute the essential fatty acids?

Answer 21

Nuts, vegetable oils, tuna, and salmon

Question 22

Balanced meals need to provide:

Answer 22

• lean meat, poultry, fish, and legumes
• fruits and vegetables
• whole grain
• low-fat milk products

Question 23

Why are balanced meals important for children?

Answer 23

Balanced meals can provide enough energy and nutrients to support growth and maintain blood cholesterol within a healthy range

Question 24

__% of childhood smokers will die of smoking-related causes

Answer 24

50%

Question 25

Why should there be a focus on the short-term health consequences of tobacco use?

Answer 25

Children are not likely to consider the long-term health consequences.