Today’s generation of children is predicted to have a shorter lifespan, by 2-5 years, than their parents due to obesity and its related conditions. Childhood obesity childhood lays the ground for cardiovascular disease. Studies have found that teenagers can develop well-established fatty streaks (the precursors to plaque) in their coronary artery walls, and children as young as 10 can have plaque that may lead to heart attacks and strokes. Children with high blood cholesterol are likely to have elevated blood cholesterol as they grow older. It’s much easier to prevent obesity than to cure it, so tackle overweight early on to keep your child healthy and fit—for life.