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For years, data has shown that obesity is rising across the United States. People are increasingly living sedentary, inactive lifestyles. At the same time, unhealthy diets are more common than nutritious meals with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Overweight and obese individuals face higher risks of all sorts of medical complications. Think sleep apnea, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

In 2024, even children are less physically active than they used to be. Past generations of kids routinely ran around outside, playing games with their friends or riding on bikes. Today, it's more common for children to play video games, plug into their phones, and otherwise remain glued to screens.

With this trend comes higher rates of childhood obesity. Now, new findings from Sweden shine a light on just how perilous this can be for young people.

A greater risk of developing multiple sclerosis

The Swedish Karolinska Institute recently publicized some news that should concern parents of obese children. The findings purport that kids who carry a higher body mass index are more susceptible to developing multiple sclerosis (MS) in adulthood.

MS is no joke, as its main symptoms include vision and motion complications, trouble with balance, and dulled sensations. Many people who come down with this illness also face substantial physical disabilities that impair their capacity to navigate the world around them.

Discoveries from the Karolinska Institute emerged after studying kids between the ages of two and 19 for up to six years. As it turns out, obese children become more prone to chronic inflammation, which then paves the way to MS later in life.

Chronic inflammation, even at a low grade, can even make kids more vulnerable to other health problems - think cancers, asmtha, diabetes, and arthritis - as they get older.

How parents can help their kids maintain a healthy weight

Amid the medical risks tied to childhood obesity, parents have several avenues to help their kids avoid these troubles.

Healthy meals, limited sugar intake, and regular physical activity are great ways for kids to stay at a healthy weight. Balancing video games and other forms of screen time with walks in the park and trips to the neighborhood playground can ultimately make a world of difference.