September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.

At Autopsy Center, we are well aware of the consequences of obesity on health. Many of our patients who die from heart attacks have severe blockages in the coronary arteries as a result of high cholesterol. Often these patients are obese and have lifestyles that did not include exercise.

We also see many of the effects of obesity beyond high cholesterol. These including knee replacements from joint damage related to weight-bearing; strokes, torn aortas and aneurysms, heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms from high blood pressure; and foot ulcers or lost limbs from diabetes. Both high blood pressure and diabetes are often related to obesity. It’s a list of conditions that can kill.

Let childhood obesity be a red flag to you as a parent to begin to make a difference in your child’s life. Children with obesity are at risk for these serious health problems and early death.

While we can help families in the event of an untimely death, we prefer to see our families enjoy their children for a full life time.

Please take your child’s dietary and lifestyle choices seriously.

Take September to learn some new health choices for your child — and for life.

To learn more, please check out these Tips for Parents from the Centers for Disease Control.