The health costs of childhood obesity have nearly quadrupled in the past three decades with hospital costs for obesity-related conditions in America's youth jumping from $35 million in 1979 to $127 million in 2000.

Corresponding to this, the number of children who are overweight has doubled in the last three decades. Currently, one in five US children are overweight.

It is the growing range of obesity-related conditions that pose the greatest long-term health threat to the nation's youth. Take a look at these alarming facts:

• Obese children and teens are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at an alarming rate. Type 2 diabetes was once known as "adult-onset" diabetes but increasing numbers of young people are diagnosed with the condition every day.
  
  
• Many obese children have high blood cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, both of which are risk factors for heart disease.
  
  
• Many obese children suffer from sleep apnea, a condition where breathing is interrupted during sleep. This can lead to extreme fatigue, and learning and memory problems.
  
  
• Obese children have a high incidence of gallbladder problems, orthopedic problems, liver disease and asthma.
  
  
• Overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance of becoming obese adults.

As well as long-term health issues relating to physical health, many obese or overweight children are susceptible to social and self-esteem issues, including depression.