Childhood obesity is on the rise in America. With it, comes an array of serious complications that affect children's emotional wellness, physical health and the United States economy. According to the American Dietetic Association, children whose weight falls in the upper 95th percentile are considered obese. If your family deals with obesity, seek guidance from qualified professionals who can guide you toward a healthy and long term recovery.
Emotional Effects
Obese children present a heightened risk for developing low self-esteem, poor body image and depression. According to research published in Pediatrics in Jan., 2000, obese children of various races demonstrate substantially lower self-esteem by early adolescence than nonobese children. In addition, obese children show higher rates of sadness, loneliness and nervousness and may likely partake in risky behaviors, such as smoking and alcohol abuse. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggests that psychosocial effects of childhood obesity, such as reduced self-esteem, stem from social stigmatization and isolation, since obese children often deal with bullying and harsh judgment from their peers. When children feel poorly about themselves and their bodies, risk for poor academic performance and difficulty developing friendships and other interpersonal relationships increases. If your child is obese, make efforts to address emotional aspects of the condition. Psychological counseling and behavioral therapy can promote your child's self-esteem and improve likelihood of healthy weight management.
Physical Effects
Obesity increases children's risk for serious conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, heart attack and stroke during childhood and frequently into adulthood. According to the CDC, 70-percent of obese children ages 5 to 17 have at least one cardiovascular condition, such as high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels or glucose (blood sugar) intolerance--a primary risk factor for type 2 diabetes. In addition, obese children present a high risk for developing asthma, sleep apnea, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and life threatening complications, such as heart or kidney failure. To prevent health related complications of obesity, encourage a healthy dietary lifestyle and regular, physical activity for your entire family. For best results, seek guidance from your doctor or qualified nutrition professional.
Economic Effects
Treatment for obesity and its complications can prove costly. According to an article published in the journal of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) on May 4, 2007, out-patient charges for obese children treatments have increased substantially in recent years and hospitalization costs have increased triple-fold in the past 20 years. In 2002, an estimated 96.2 billion dollars were spent on adult obesity treatments. These numbers do not account for additional economic effects of obesity, such as reduced work productivity, absence from work and premature death costs. Since childhood obesity often carries into adulthood, these numbers will likely increase continually, on a national level. The ADA suggests addressing adults' obesity as a helpful tool toward remedying childhood obesity, since obese children commonly have at least 1 obese parent. If you are the parent of an obese child, seek ways to improve your own physical and emotional health, so to set a positive, healthy example.
Member Comments