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Children & Weight Issues

Weight issues in children, whether they are underweight or overweight, can have long-term negative effects, which can be carried through to adulthood and render them at risk of associated health conditions, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. A nutritious, well-balanced diet and exercise are key to weight control. These factors can be difficult to control in growing children, as can peer pressure, which can result in behavioral issues and serious eating disorders.

  1. Overweight

    • According to the American Heart Association, one in three American children and teens are overweight, and the problem is reaching epidemic proportions. Overweight is typically caused by poor nutritional choices and a lack of exercise. As increasing numbers of kids become hooked on fast foods and computer gaming, this disturbing problem shows no signs of decreasing. Three factors are vital to helping children achieve and maintain a healthy weight for their age and height: reducing caloric intake, increasingn physical activity and parental involvement in being good role models and helping kids to modify eating habits.

    Underweight

    • The Centers for Disease Control attributes underweight in children and adolescents to underlying health conditions and malnutrition. Food allergies, food intolerance and diseases such as Celiac disease restrict what a child can eat, and as a result prevent the body from getting vital nutrients. Underweight can also be a result of an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa.

    Eating Disorders

    • As with adults, eating disorders in children can be caused by a culmination of multiple factors -- socio-cultural, familial, biological and physical. Each factor has an effect on a child's predisposition for eating disorders and her onset of behaviors that cause and perpetuate them. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge-eating are the most common disorders. According to research by the American Journal of Psychiatry, some 5 percent of eating disorder sufferers die as a result of their disorder.

    External Pressures

    • Media and peer pressure can seriously affect a child's perception of her body weight, appearance and attractiveness. The media and fashion industry persistently promotes standards of thinness and beauty that are unrealistic for the vast majority of children and adults. This constant barrage of imagery, together with peer pressure, can cause a child to set herself unrealistic expectations and goals as to her self-image, which, in turn, can lead to eating disorders.

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