Childhood Obesity:The Emotional and Psychological Impact On Young Children
The conclusion of a recent study from the University of Missouri has added validity to the concern most of us who care for children share, “Overweight Kids Experience More Loneliness, Anxiety.”
We all grew up with the realization that the obese child in school was generally excluded from sports and parties. But there was a general perception that they were the jokesters and the life of the classroom. Maybe not the one you would expect to be homecoming queen or king, but happy and fun to be around with the “good personality”. However, this new study sheds light on the true impact that being obese has on a child’s emotional spirit. “As childhood obesity rates continue to increase, experts agree that more information is needed,” this University of Missouri study found. In addition, the study determined that, “overweight children, especially girls, show signs of the negative (emotional) consequences of being overweight as early as kindergarten.”
This study gives the evidence we need to push for more resources to understand why these children became obese in the first place. More effective intervention needs to be implemented before the psychological trauma of loneliness and depression advances. Once a child is on the path to becoming obese, behavior patterns have already been set in motion.
The University of Missouri-Columbia study found that, ” both boys and girls who were overweight from kindergarten through third grade displayed more depression, anxiety and loneliness than kids who were never overweight, and those negative feelings worsened over time,” according to Sara Gable, Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies in the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Human Environmental Sciences. “Overweight is widely considered a stigmatizing condition and overweight individuals are typically blamed for their situation.” It is time we develop a strategy to deal with the problem and not just wait until they develop medical and psychological issues. How we approach this situation is vital. “Girls who were consistently overweight, from kindergarten through third grade, and girls who were approaching being overweight were viewed less favorably than girls who were never overweight,” said Gable, a University of Missouri-Columbia State Extension Specialist.
We must start by treating these obese children with respect and sensitivity. We have been unwitting participants in this atmosphere of alienation for these children and it is up to us to change the insensitive attitudes that have proven detrimental. Every interaction and relationship has served as reinforcement of negative emotion. It is time to reverse this process by developing a team and community wide program. It is vital to identify the children at risk before they become significantly overweight.
“Therefore, intervention and prevention efforts should be designed for everyone, Gable concluded,”all kids should learn what constitutes a healthy weight and healthy lifestyle.”
It is time we approach the whole issue as early as preschool where child care experts on the front line can initiate evaluations as they do in many other developmental and psychological issues. Pediatricians should be encouraged to identify the weight and physical health issue earlier, and discuss the additional mental health risks associated with obesity.
More research is needed to develop alternative approaches for categorizing children’s weight and creating effective intervention programs,” was Gable’s conclusion.
Efforts have been slow to address the associated issues which have lead to the dramatic rise in childhood obesity. We, as health care providers, have not been proactive in our crusade against the behavior management and resources parents have adopted over the last 20 years to replace quality time for social interaction Rewards system that include poor food choices and games, toys, and entertainment devices that create a culture of passivity and sedentary behavior have replaced hands on parenting. Perhaps this study will help give us ammunition in our battle for the hearts and minds of young parents who are naively influenced by marketers and the media. The solution is to get up and get out. Reward children with your time, your involvement and increase the level of activity. Intervention must start even earlier with education programs for new parents detailing proper nutrition, portion sizes, calories, and alternate methods of parenting, which do not involve behavior feeding. In addition, a child needs early exposure to a healthy lifestyle including exercise and enriching activities that promote self-esteem and well being. Sports participation, charity involvement, and community based activities will help instill values that are not based on appearance and social pressure.
Journal reference:
- Gable et al. Implications of Overweight Onset and Persistence for Social and Behavioral Development Between Kindergarten Entry and Third Grade. Applied Developmental Science, 2009; 13 (2): 88 DOI: 10.1080/10888690902801970
Posted in: Parent, Nutrition & Kids
