Childhood obesity represents a severe and growing health and social problem -- according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 20 percent of all American children are considered obese, reflecting a general trend toward obesity since the 1970s. Obese children can suffer from low self-confidence and may endure teasing and bullying at school, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Definitions
The American Academy of Pediatrics considers children with a body mass index in the 85th to 95th percentile for their age, height and gender to be overweight. If a child weighs more than the 95th percentile, then the academy considers him obese. In addition to social problems, children who are overweight and obese risk asthma, sleep apnea, skin infections and joint pain. They also are more likely than their peers to become overweight and obese adults and may see their weight problem affect their job prospects and social lives.
Low Self-Esteem
Children who are obese or overweight often suffer from low self-esteem, meaning they lack confidence in themselves and in their abilities and talents, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Low levels of self-esteem and self-confidence can lead to bad grades and otherwise poor academic performance, fewer friends and even a diagnosis of depression.
Negative Body Image
If a child is obese or overweight, she likely holds a negative body image of herself, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Negative body images in children can lead to problems such as binge eating and other eating disorders. They are also a risk factor for depression. Overweight and obese children, especially girls, risk the consequences of having a negative body image.
Bullying
Obese children in grades three through six suffer from bullying more often than their normal-weight peers, according to a study published in June 2010 in the journal "Pediatrics." Study lead author Dr. Julie Lumeng and her colleagues looked at 821 students and collected reports of bullying from teachers, parents and the students themselves. The study found that being obese made children more likely to be bullied, regardless of other socioeconomic factors such as race and income.
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