First of all, let me state I am in no way, shape, or form a medical expert or professional of any kind. Any medical terms, descriptions, etc. in this or any other of my postings are based on information I have found through research. Medical or psychological problems mentioned in this post are commonly reported conditions, not necessarily signs or symptoms strictly of childhood obesity. Each child is different and any questions readers may have should be directed to the child's doctor.
Though
the words overweight and obese are often thought to be interchangeable,
medically there is a difference. Overweight
means to have excess body weight for a particular height caused by fat, muscle,
bone, water or any combination of these factors. Obesity is having excess body fat
(Merriam-Webster, 2011). Both are caused
by a caloric imbalance, or not expending as many calories as consumed. Overeating is not the only cause of a
caloric imbalance. Genetics and the
person’s environment can play a role in whether a person is overweight or
obese. Genetics can also play a role in common health ailments that are
associated with childhood obesity.
You've probably witnessed an elderly parent, an adult sibling, a friend, spouse, or perhaps you yourself suffer from things like high blood pressure,
high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease,
chronic heartburn/gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), gallstones, joint
pain/arthritis, and sleep apnea. What about a 10 year old? According to doctors and the CDC these are just some
of the common health conditions obese children face. When you factor in family history and genetics,
it will only get worse as the children age and continue to live an unhealthy
lifestyle.
Puberty is also affected by childhood obesity. Studies show that fat tissue converts male hormones into estrogen which is why boys development gets delayed. This can cause additional emotional stress because chances are boys who are obese are already getting teased because of their size and their inability to participate in sports and other events. While obesity causes delayed puberty in boys it has the opposite effect in girls. Girls tend to develop sooner, as early as age 8. This can lead to fertility problems and excessive sex hormones can increase chances of cancer growth later in life (Brownstein, 2010). Girls as young as 12 can look 16 or older and tend to become sexually active at a younger age in order to gain acceptance.
Physical unwellness is not the only health issue
obese children face. The psychological
effects of being different from their friends weigh as heavily on their mind as
their weight does on their body. Being obese makes children more likely to be
the victims of bullying and often suffer from low self-esteem, no
self-confidence, depression, stress, lack of sleep, anxiety, thoughts of
suicide, irrational fears and can cause them to live in a constant state of
panic (Beecher, Hagen, & Tessmer, 2006). This will not only affect their
school work, but their entire life. The
emotional trauma of being teased and bullied relentlessly as a child is
something they will carry with them all their lives. Parents need to show children love no
matter what size they are. Reassure them
they are valuable and worth knowing and loving.
Girls especially need this reassurance. Talking to the child’s doctor about not only
their physical health, but their emotional health will help you develop
a plan to treat them holistically.
~Jennifer~
References
Beecher, M., Hagen, M., Tessmer K. (2006) Conquering Childhood Obesity for Dummies. Indianapolis, IN: Wiley Publishing Inc.
Brownstein, J. (2010) Study Suggests Obesity May Delay Boys' Puberty. ABC News Medical Unit.
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (2011). Retrieved on April 3, 2012.
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