By Carrie Napoleon, Life Quotes, Inc.

Obesity among America’s youth is a growing epidemic with long-term ramifications for both the health and financial futures of those affected.

An estimated 17 percent of children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 are considered obese, according to the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the last year for which statistics are available. That is about triple the rate from just one generation ago.

Obesity in children and adolescents makes these youths at risk for health problems that were once associated with older individuals. According to the CDC, obese children and adolescents are more likely to have risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes.

Experts say it is those risk factors that will have the most lasting impact on an individual’s ability to obtain life insurance as they mature.

“There are many things that commonly walk hand in hand with obesity – from problems being physically active and wear and tear on joints, to even more worrisome problems like diabetes,” says Dr. Ann Hoven, DBIM CLU, chief medical director for The Hartford’s Wealth Management Division.

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