Health Concerns of Childhood Obesity

...

Aside from physical health problems, childhood obesity can impact a person’s mental health negatively. According to the Canadian Obesity Network poor self-esteem in childhood is an established marker of poor mental health later in life. In children low self-esteem may occur due to peer rejection, or a lack of self-appreciation. Miller and Downey (1999) stated that “heavyweight people’s expectations that others are likely prejudice against them could affect their own behaviour in ways that produce negative interaction outcomes, which in turn could have consequences for self-evaluation.” As well, Harter and Marold (1994) stated that low self-esteem has been associated with depression and suicidal tendencies later on in life. The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey conducted a children aged 13 to 14. The results showed that obese girls were four times more likely to experience low self-esteem. As well, obese girls and boys that had lower self-esteem had a higher chance of feeling loneliness, sadness and nervousness. Living in a society that depends on the media can be detrimental to an obese child’s mental state. In the media we are constantly bombarded with videos and images of the “ideal body.” Harter and Marold stated self-worth and self-esteem stems from how society and their peers perceive them. If obese children are constantly being told by the media they are out of the ordinary their self-esteem will deplete.

Lastly, sleep apnea has become a growing concern amongst obese children. As well, there is great potential that these children will carry this issue with them into adulthood. According to Reeves, Postolache, and Snitker (2008) overweight children are at increased risk for sleep apnea and obesity hypoventilation syndrome, which are associated with daytime somnolence and decreased nighttime sleep. A study conducted by Reeves, Postolache and Snitker that included 383 youth aged 11 to 16 years old indicated that overweight youths experienced less total sleep than average-weight youth. The researchers discovered that sleep sensitivity was largely related to depression, another common health concern related to obese children. As these children grow sleep deprivation may contribute to worsening both the child’s obesity and depression (Reeves, Postolache & Snitker, 2008).

Methods

Objective and Participants

References

Childhood Obesity Causes & Consequences. (2015, June 19).

Lakshman, R., Elks, C., & Ong, K. (n.d.). Childhood Obesity.

Litwin, S. (2014, November 15). Childhood Obesity and Adult Cardiovascular Disease.

Sevilla, F. (n.d.). Childhood Obesity - The Greatest Health Risk for America's Children. Retrieved October 23, 2015.

Karnik, S., & Kanekar, A. (2012, January 3). Childhood Obesity: A Global Public Health Crisis.

Kaplan, K., & Wadden, T. (1986). Childhood obesity and self-esteem. The Journal of Paediatrics, 109(2), 367-370.