special influence on children's health with their physical education curriculum and school-based canteens providing lunch and snacks for students. Parental factors also have an impact on obesity with their behavior, attitudes and feeding styles mimicked by their children [25]. EFFECTS OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY 9.5.1 MEDICAL EFFECTS Medical conditions that have been more prevalent among adolescents include type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, orthopedic problems, and sleep apnea [26]. Obesity is also harmful to the cardiovascular system and being overweight during childhood exacerbates and accelerates cardiovascular conditions in adulthood. The fact that life expectancy is decreasing could be attributed to children developing obesity at a younger age and thus developing various non-communicable diseases earlier and ultimately premature death [27, 28]. In fact, studies have reported a near doubling of hospitalizations due to childhood obesity [29]. 9.5.2 SOCIAL AND ACADEMIC EFFECTS A study evaluated the health-related quality of life of obese and non-obese children and discovered that obese children were more likely to have decreased health-related quality of life, including emotional, social, and school functioning, as compared to healthy children [30]. Further studies on self-esteem in the United States showed significantly poorer levels of self-esteem in early adolescents in obese Hispanic and white females and showed higher rates of sadness and nervousness and adolescents being more prone to participation in risky habits such as smoking or consuming alcohol [31]. This in turn would affect academic performance in otherwise normal, healthy children. Moreover, obesity that continues further to adulthood is associated with poorer employment and relationship outcomes [32]. The effects of both medical and social effects of obesity in children have not been studied in detail in the South Pacific (Figure 9.3). Childhood Obesity in Pacific Island Countries Family Type II History/Genes Diabetes Lethargy Sedentary Life Style Osteoart