We are all most likely aware of the unfavorable impact that excess weight can have on our kids' physical health, but what about the effect of obesity on their psychological and psychological health?
Not as much is understood about this topic since there isn't a clear and constant relationship between weight and psychological health. Not all thin kids enjoy and not all overweight or overweight kids are sad.
What we do understand is that kids who are overweight or obese frequently face weight-related stereotypes, social exemption and discrimination. Dealing with these difficulties can contribute to depression, stress and anxiety, low self-esteem and poor body image. In addition, we understand that kids who are obese experience a lower health-related quality of life. Research studies show that adolescents and children who are overweight report a lifestyle that is comparable to children who are detected with cancer and are getting chemotherapy.
Regardless of an increase in public awareness and zero-tolerance policies in many schools, weight-related bullying-- especially cyber bullying-- is a typical experience for numerous overweight kids, and can have a disastrous influence on their emotional well-being. Overweight kids, specifically those with low self-esteem and poor body image, are at a higher danger of being victims of bullying. A vicious circle can then be set into movement:
Weight-related bullying can cause a boost in unfavorable sensations including anxiety and symptoms of depression like irritability, sad state of mind, low energy and tiredness, problem sleeping, and a lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities. This can cause psychological eating, which can then lead to more weight gain, which might result in increased bullying, which then starts the cycle all over again.
Females tend to be more susceptible to the unfavorable impact of weight-related bullying due to the importance of body image typically put on their self-esteem and self-respect.
What is most concerning is the relationship between bullying and suicide, especially in obese youth. Overweight kids who are victims of weight-related teasing or bullying are 2-3 times most likely to report ideas of suicide or to participate in self-harming behavior, such as cutting. This is a worrying fact.
Sadly, there isn't a quick fix and dropping weight doesn't always make the problems disappear. Nevertheless, increasing awareness of not just the physical impact, but the psychological impact of obesity on teenagers and kids, is a good location to begin.
At the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition, we have a multidisciplinary group that believes in dealing with the physical and psychological effects of obesity. Talk with your kid's pediatrician about a referral or get in touch with the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition to get more info or request a visit.
For teens who still have a hard time to manage their weight through diet and lifestyle modifications alone, bariatric surgical treatment has shown to be a reliable choice for dropping weight and decreasing-- or frequently reversing-- numerous obesity-related conditions. Click here to learn more about weight-loss surgery, or find out if you might be a prospect for bariatric surgical treatment by addressing 7 simple questions