Childhood obesity is associated with;
·
Health (medical) effects
and
Health (medical) effects
and
·
Psychological effects.
Psychological effects.
Health (Medical) Effects of Childhood Obesity
Childhood
obesity has both immediate and long-term effects on health and well-being.
Immediate health effects:
- Obese youth are more likely to have risk
factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood
pressure. In a population-based sample of 5- to 17-year-olds, 70% of obese
youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. - Obese adolescents are more likely to have
prediabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a high
risk for development of diabetes. - Children and adolescents who are obese are at
greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and
psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.
Long-term health effects:
- Children and adolescents who are obese are
likely to be obese as adults and are therefore more at risk for adult
health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several
types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. One study showed that children
who became obese as early as age 2 were more likely to be obese as adults. - Overweight and obesity are associated with
increased risk for many types of cancer, including cancer of the breast,
colon, endometrium, oesophagus, kidney, pancreas, gall bladder, thyroid,
ovary, cervix, and prostate, as well as multiple myeloma and Hodgkin’s
lymphoma.
(Daniels, et al, 2005).
Psychological Effects of Childhood Obesity
According
to Riccairdelli (2002), the most immediate consequence of being overweight as
perceived by children themselves is social discrimination and low-self-esteem.
A 2003 study asked 106 children between ages 5 to 18 to rate their quality of
life based on things like their ability to walk more than one block, play
sports, sleep well, get along with others and keep up in school. The study
found that obese children often rated their quality of life with scores as low
as those of young cancer patients on chemotherapy. The results indicated that
that teasing at school, difficulties playing sports, fatigue, sleep apnea and
other obesity-linked problems severely affected the children’s well-being.
Interestingly, parents answered the same questionnaires, and their ratings of
their children’s well-being were even lower than the children’s self-ratings.
to Riccairdelli (2002), the most immediate consequence of being overweight as
perceived by children themselves is social discrimination and low-self-esteem.
A 2003 study asked 106 children between ages 5 to 18 to rate their quality of
life based on things like their ability to walk more than one block, play
sports, sleep well, get along with others and keep up in school. The study
found that obese children often rated their quality of life with scores as low
as those of young cancer patients on chemotherapy. The results indicated that
that teasing at school, difficulties playing sports, fatigue, sleep apnea and
other obesity-linked problems severely affected the children’s well-being.
Interestingly, parents answered the same questionnaires, and their ratings of
their children’s well-being were even lower than the children’s self-ratings.
Society,
culture, and the media send children powerful messages about body weight and
shape ideals. For girls, these include the “thin ideal” and an urging
to diet and exercise. Messages to boys emphasize a muscular, “buff”
body and pressure to body build and perhaps make use of potentially harmful
dietary supplements and steroids. While gender has not been identified as a
specific risk factor for obesity in children, the pressure upon girls to be
thin may put them at greater risk for developing eating disordered behaviours
and or related mood symptoms. Although society presents boys with a wider-range
of acceptable body images, they are still at risk for developing disordered
eating and body image disturbances.
culture, and the media send children powerful messages about body weight and
shape ideals. For girls, these include the “thin ideal” and an urging
to diet and exercise. Messages to boys emphasize a muscular, “buff”
body and pressure to body build and perhaps make use of potentially harmful
dietary supplements and steroids. While gender has not been identified as a
specific risk factor for obesity in children, the pressure upon girls to be
thin may put them at greater risk for developing eating disordered behaviours
and or related mood symptoms. Although society presents boys with a wider-range
of acceptable body images, they are still at risk for developing disordered
eating and body image disturbances.
References
Daniels,
S.R., Arnett, D.K., & Eckel, R.H. (2005). Overweight in children and adolescents: pathophysiology, consequences,
prevention, and treatment. Circulation 2005;111;1999–2002.
S.R., Arnett, D.K., & Eckel, R.H. (2005). Overweight in children and adolescents: pathophysiology, consequences,
prevention, and treatment. Circulation 2005;111;1999–2002.
Riccairdelli,
L.A.(2002). Body
image and body change methods in adolescent boys: Role of parents, friends and
the media, Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 49 (3):189-197.
L.A.(2002). Body
image and body change methods in adolescent boys: Role of parents, friends and
the media, Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 49 (3):189-197.
