Add ankle injuries to childhood obesity woes

Posted May 11, 2009 by Mary Shedden

Updated May 11, 2009 at 09:04 AM

The health risks for obese children affects more than their cardiovascular systems, researchers say.

The University of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center studied more than 23,000 children and found that ankle and lower leg injuries were more prevalent in obese children. The study looked at children who came to the facility over a period of three years.

This finding points out that while children of healthier weight may be more physically active,  it’s the children who most need to be out and about are more prone to ankle sprains and other, similar injuries.

It also adds to other already serious problems facing overweight children. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention says that includes increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes.