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Effects of Obesity in Children

Obesity has reached near-epidemic proportions in the United States, and children are not immune. The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry suggests that about 20 percent of all children and adolescents in the United States are obese. Children who are overweight are at greater risk of physical and emotional problems, from juvenile diabetes and high blood pressure to low self-esteem and depression.

  1. Causes of Obesity

    • There are several reasons why some children become obese and others remain at a healthy weight. Genetics plays a role, especially if at least one parent is obese. Inactivity can also be a key factor; not only does modern technology require less physical exertion, it also serves up a wealth of entertainment options such as TV and video games. Dietary choices have also changed -- busy families often choose the convenience of prepackaged and fast foods over the nutritional benefits of home-cooked, balanced meals.

    Immediate Health Problems

    • Excess weight increases the risk of medical problems including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. These conditions have long been associated with overweight adults. However, as more and more children become obese, they are developing these conditions at an earlier age. Malnutrition can also be a problem for overweight children. Even though they are eating a large quantity of food, they are often not eating the right foods. Their bodies are short on the nutrients found in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and grains.

    Health Risks Into Adulthood

    • Unhealthy behaviors, such as poor diet choices and lack of exercise, frequently continue into adulthood. A healthy lifestyle is a learned behavior, and if it isn't learned as a child, it will be much harder to pick up the habit as an adult. Being obese as an adult can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease and certain types of cancer. It can also cause symptoms to intensify in some health conditions such as osteoarthritis, asthma and acid reflux.

    Low Self-Esteem

    • It's natural for all children to periodically struggle with self-esteem issues. As they grow and their bodies change, they can feel uncomfortable with the person they are becoming. But for children who are obese, low self-esteem issues can run deeper as they struggle to fit in with their peers. This can become much harder if they are subjected to harassment and ridicule because of their weight.

    Emotional Effects

    • Obesity can lead to anxiety and depression.Overweight children often feel as though they are outcasts and cannot find a place where they belong among their peers. They find it harder to make friends because they feel they are different or may not have as much confidence as their thinner counterparts. This sense of solitude increases when they are unable to participate in group activities such as sports because they tire easily or unable to physically perform tasks.

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