Childhood Obesity can lead to many consequences, one of them being Psychological Effects. Psychological Effects include: low self-esteem, depression, and social discrimination. By being overweight children can have low-self esteem because they feel that they are not as important as everyone else. When they are being judged through people because they are obese, it affects their confidence and that leads to low-self esteem. It leads to social discrimination as well because they will feel excluded from their friend group in school. They want to be able to do everyday activities that normal school kids do, but since they are overweight it can limit them from doing certain activities. The culture, society and the social media we are all part of also plays an important role in children that are obese. They portray an ideal girl to look slim and fit, and ideal boy to look buff and muscular. When a certain individual realizes that they do not fit this criteria, they start looking down upon themselves. When they start disliking how they are then it leads to serious issues. All of this can lead to one big problem which is depression. Children going through such issues at a young age is not healthy at all for their future. One psychological effect can lead to plenty more and it is just an on going cycle. If we think back to when we were younger, as kids we were offended by little things so try putting your feet in shoes of those kids that are constantly picked on for being obese and think how would you feel? How can we change such a situation?
Resources:
http://www.buzzle.com/img/articleImages/544549-30728-29.jpg
http://www.mississippisfinest.net/health7.jpg
People don't realize how fragile someone's mind can be. If an obese child, or even overweight child is not given the same respect as a normal sized child, it's only natural for the overweight child to feel left out. Usually these confrontations happen at their childhood. At this time, the child hasn't developed this sense of self-esteem and is not sure how to handle other people's criticism. For them to be attacked by other children like this may cause them to fall under serious depression or other ill activities.
ReplyDeleteI actually read an article (link below) the other day about how physical activity can be linked to feeling left out. Those children who feel left out have no motivation to be physically active and outgoing. This is a vicious cycle because if an obese child comes to school and realizes that they are not welcomed by the other students, this child then becomes sad and will not have motivation to do anything. This just causes more problems for this child in the future.
http://www.kmarshack.com/_blog/Kathy_Marshack_News/post/Childhood_Obesity_Linked_to_Being_Left_Out_/
It is hard to say that we can completely eradicate child obesity. There are many steps we can take to limit child obesity, but child obesity is still going to be there. In order, to help these children from not going into depression, is to help them to accept themselves who what they look like. Being overweight is not healthy, but neither is too skinny. It is important to help this children understand the people come in all shapes and sizes. No matter what size someone is, they should not be judged based on their weight. Things like social media should stop giving young children wrong message about “perfect body image.” The best thing to do it help them understand that being healthy is the best way to go. Not being too skinny.
ReplyDeleteIt is really sad to think about how obese children go through such problems. Obese children might give negative impression to someone; however, they also can give positive impression. We should not judge a book by its cover. Even if one child is obese, he or she must have some talents that other do not possess. Social media should work on giving obese children an encouraging message to increase their self-esteem and confidence. As Sweta metioned above, helping obese children understand that the people come in all shapes and sizes would be also a key factor to prevent these children from falling into depression.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand Psychological Effects including low self-esteem, depression, and social discrimination. Even as a college student, I cannot be proud of myself and become depressed when I gain much weight. Among the teenagers who has greater peer pressure and attention to appearance, I am sure obese children will have social difficulties and negative psychological effects.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I believe media has set the negative stereotype of obese children. In many TV shows and movies, kids with obesity are always mocked by others and the media presents it as normal.
Adults need to pay more attention on perspectives of the obese children.
The psychological effects that come in hand with childhood obesity is sad and does not have to happen. Children should live a healthier lifestyle which will not bring them down with possible depression and low self-esteem. Children in school face a great deal of pressure to look "good" as the media portrays how an ideal girl/guy should look like. When children feel they do not live up to that standard, it causes many children great distraught. We can change such a situation by helping children eat healthier and help them to accept everyone is different. Positive reinforcement is what is needed instead of mocking and negative comments.
ReplyDelete