The social and psychological issues of childhood obesity
are perhaps even more intrusive on the child's life than
the physical. Childhood is a critical time for the
development of self-esteem, thus the psychological issues
faced by an overweight child places even more urgency on
the prevention of the problem.
Obesity is "one of the most stigmatizing and least socially
acceptable conditions in childhood." (Schwimmer, Jeffrey
B., MD ET AL,: Health-related quality of life of severely
obese children and adolescents," The Journal of American
Medicine, 2003, p. 1818). An historic study showed that
normal weight children rank obese children as the least
desirable friends. Obese individuals were described as
lazy, dirty, dumb and deceitful. These descriptions were
made by children as young as six years old (Must, Aviva,
Ph.D., "Effects of obesity on morbidity in children and
adolescents," Nutrition in Clinical Care, p. 9).
One study relates that the quality of life of an obese
child can be directly compared to the quality of life of a
child undergoing cancer treatment. They feel excluded from
a variety of activities and have lower levels of self worth
and self esteem. They are teased and withdraw from their
peers. The physical limitations and inability to keep up
with normal activities may lead to a vicious cycle of
additional weight gain. Studies have also shown that
obese children miss four times more school than healthy
weight children, which could lead to decreased school
performance (Schwimmer, p. 1814).
Depression and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) have
also been linked to childhood obesity (Mustillo, Sarah,
Ph.D., "Obesity and psychiatric disorder: developmental
trajectories," Pediatrics, 2003, p. 854). ODD is
manifested by a pattern of uncooperative and defiant
behavior toward authority that can interfere with
day-to-day functioning (www.aacap.org).
The effects of obesity effects have a lasting impact on an
individual's life in childhood, through adolescence and
into adulthood. Obese adolescents have lower education
attainment, earn less money and have higher rates of
poverty. Discrimination because of obesity has been
documented toward adolescents in apartment rentals,
employment opportunities and college admissions (Must, p.
9). Finding success as an adult is an enormous challenge,
but especially daunting when faced with the physical,
emotional and discriminatory effects brought on by obesity
www.healthlink.mcw.edu.
Americans in general are much too sedentary. Children
should have at least thirty minutes per day of exercise
outside of school time (Hu,Frank B., M.D., Ph.D.,
"Television watching and other sedentary behaviors in
relation to risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus in
women," The Journal of American Medicine, 2003, p. 1790).
Television, computers, and video games consume more and
more of outside playtime. Television watching is the
predominant sedentary behavior in children, second only to
sleeping (Kaur, Haroshena, M.D., MPH, "Duration of
television watching is associated with body mass index,"
The Journal of Pediatrics, 2003, p. 506).
Watching television is more strongly associated with
obesity than other sedentary behaviors. This is because
(1) watching television reduces energy expenditure by
limiting time that children spend doing physical
activities, (2) watching television leads to increased
energy intake because it tends to lead to snacking –
especially with the inundation of junk food enticements,
and (3) watching television has even less energy
expenditure associated with it than other sedentary
behaviors such as reading and writing. (Hu, p. 1790).
Increased time spent in front of the television can result
in a net gain of 350 calories per day (combined loss of
potential physical activity with snacking) that over a week
would result in a 0.7 pound gain in body weight per week.
(Epstein, Leonard H., Ph.D., "Effects of manipulating
sedentary behavior on physical activity and food intake,"
The Journal of Pediatrics, 2002, 140, p. 334). These
findings suggest that even in healthy, non-obese children,
sedentary behavior can drastically increase caloric
consumption while decreasing energy expenditure.
----------------------------------------------------
Gurion Blattman is a lifelong athlete and fitness expert
with over 20 years experience in the health and fitness
industry. A graduate of Northeastern University, he is a
Certified Professional Trainer by the National Academy of
Sports Medicine. Based in Darien, Connecticut, he has
trained and coached men, women and children of all ages as
well as professional athletes. http://www.gurionblattman.com
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