Consequences of Childhood Obesity. Obese and overweight children are at risk for a number of serious health problems such as: Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes was once called adult-onset diabetes. Now with the rise in childhood obesity, there is a dramatic rise in the number of children suffering from type 2 diabetes. Untreated, this can be a life-threatening condition. Asthma: Extra weight can make it harder to breathe and can inflame the respiratory tract.