People say that obesity it is the consequence of many different factors; sometimes it is genetic in nature and other times, it is the result of poor lifestyle choices, such as eating habits and sleeping patterns.
When it comes to childhood obesityDr. Rajat Goel, Obesity and Bariatric Surgeon at Apollo Spectra Delhi, Karol Bagh, says that childhood obesity has financial costs in addition to health costs. “His son’s weight problem is closely related to his emotional life,” he says.
According to the expert, obesity can emotionally affect the child. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Social shame and stigma
“Living with overweight can be difficult for overweight children. In some ways, the social stigma associated with it can harm children just as much as the diseases and medical problems that often accompany it,” says Dr. Goel.
She adds that studies have shown that children as young as six may identify negative stereotypes with obesity and assume that a big child is “less likable in a culture that values thinness.”
2. Bullying and self-esteem
While it’s true that some overweight kids may enjoy popularity with their peers, feel good about themselves, and have a lot of self-confidence, compared to their skinnier friends, they may also suffer from low self-esteem.
“Their low self-esteem can make them feel self-conscious about their appearance; this lack of confidence can affect school work. You probably don’t need an extensive explanation of how hard a child’s daily life can be if he is overweight, ”says the doctor.
He cautions that these children may hear from their peers (and even adults) that being over weight it is your own responsibility. “They could be insulted, bullied and teased. They may be rejected by their old friends and may have a hard time finding new ones. When teams are chosen in physical education classes, they could be the last to be chosen.
Some overweight youth may turn to food for emotional comfort. (Photo: Getty/Thinkstock)
3. Depression
According to the doctor, the child may feel that he does not fit in or belong anywhere. They might consider themselves an outcast. “They will often experience loneliness and may also become melancholic. When this scenario embeds itself in your life, month after month, year after year…[it could signal depression].”
4. Emotional eating
While their parents and doctors advise them to eat less, some overweight teens may turn to food for emotional comfort, the doctor says. “Some children habitually overeat due to these and other emotional ups and downs in life, such as the stress of moving to a new area, challenges at school, loss of a parent, or divorce.”
5. Discrimination
There are other effects of obesity that last longer, beyond puberty, he adds.
According to the expert, overweight adolescents and adults can experience prejudice based solely on their weight. “According to some data, they are less likely to get admitted to a top university. Compared to their slimmer counterparts, they may also have a harder time finding desirable occupations. Overweight people may have a tendency to earn less money than their average-weight acquaintances,” she states.
The expert says that the cycle can be broken. “Problems like excessive screen time, inactivity and poor diet can be resolved by making lifestyle adjustments. Parents should encourage a dietary pattern of balanced meals, more vegetables and less processed foods, regular physical exercise, and less screen time. These things can improve gut healthregulate weight and enhance self-esteem and general well-being”, concludes the expert.
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Source: news.google.com