Childhood Obesity - Do you have an overweight child? We offer tips to help your child lose weight and get fit!

As the United States and other nations continues the fight against childhood obesity, the health consequences associated with being overweight or obese are widely publicized. Getting less attention, however, are the damaging psychological effects obesity can have on kids.

Dr. Margaret Lewin, the medical director of Cinergy Health, addressed this topic in a Feb. 19 article on HealthNewsDigest.com:

LJ Griffiths' study of children at age 7 1/2 showed that obesity predicts a higher likelihood of bullying (boys -- presumably because of their physical dominance in their peer group) or being bullied (both sexes) than normal weight (or even moderately overweight) children.

Overweight girls are especially stigmatized when it comes to dating. In a study of adolescents, only 12 percent of the students had dated someone who was overweight, with only 8 percent of boys dating overweight peers.

Formal studies suggest a relationship between self-esteem and health. Whether obese or not, adolescents with poor self-esteem are more likely to engage in early sex, less likely to use birth control, have higher rates of teen pregnancies, are more likely to use tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs, and to attempt suicide.

Obesity can also lead teenagers into binge-eating, sometimes purging as well. In 2007, a study reported a 20 year research of obese adolescents in upstate New York. They found that obese girls were nearly four times more likely than normal weight girls to suffer major depression and anxiety disorders as adults.

Labels: self_esteem, mental_health

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Some parents or teachers, in an effort to push overweight kids to lose weight, may resort to shame-based tactics; making them feel embarrassed or guilty for being overweight or having unhealthy eating habits.

"For 30 years, I have treated overweight people who feel terrible about themselves (no matter what their stellar achievements) because of their weight and who desperately struggle to slim down. The last thing they need is more shame about their bodies."

Instead, people - including children - who struggle with their weight need to retrain their minds and bodies to think and act differently around food. Read more at HeraldTribune.com.

Labels: self_esteem, shame, embarrassment

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A recent study of more than 2,500 adolescents found that teasing, and pressure to lose weight often increased the risk of obesity in teens that were already overweight. The study also found that overweight teens were just as likely to use unhealthy weight-control measures (i.e. - purging, laxatives, or overuse of diet pills) as under-weight kids.

"Pushing diets won't help. Neither will teasing about weight. Instead parents should focus on having frequent family meals, creating a positive atmosphere at mealtimes, promoting physical activity and building self-esteem, the researchers recommend."

About one-fourth of the overweight girls in the study reported using extreme measures to try and lose weight. The study emphasizes the fact that body-image and self-esteem issues lie at the heart of weight problems at both ends of the spectrum.

Labels: self_esteem, body_image, unhealthy_food_choices

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Many adults know firsthand the benefits of pilates. It improves flexibility, conditioning, and self-esteem. It can also help people learn how to focus. The same benefits that are experienced by adults can also be experienced by kids.

"Seven's parenting expert Dr. Valerie Goode says what's great about this form of exercise is that if your child doesn't excel at sports, pilates is a great way to help build his or her self-esteem... In fact, pilates has been shown to increase flexibility, strength, endurance and coordination. Plus, it's a great stress-reliever."

With childhood obesity rates on the rise, a low-impact form of exercise like pilates can get kids up and moving and enjoying the benefits that come from developing a strong body and mind. Read more at WSVN.com.

Labels: self_esteem, exercise, stress

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As the United States faces an ever-increasing waist line, some doctors and nutritionist are concerned that parents' attempts to keep their kids "healthy" will actually cause a backlash of poor choices, low self-esteem, and possibly eating disorders.

"No one would deny that being overweight poses risks to physical and emotional health or that an increasing number of American youth are facing those risks. What's troubling to some are the overt approaches to helping these kids - the focus on 'red light' foods, the after-school nutrition classes, the forced gym memberships, the public tsk-tsking."

Instead, doctors and nutritionist recommend that parents simply make sure they're preparing healthy meals and have healthy snacks in the house. Teach kids how to eat what they need without overeating, and allow them to sample a wide variety of foods. Read more at Coloradoan.com.

Low self-esteem may turn into a teenage drug addiction. Learn about self-esteem, adolescent substance abuse, and more about teen drug use at Teen-Help-Directory.com.

Labels: healthy_eating, self_esteem, eating_disorders

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A recent paper by scientists at Yale and the University of Hawaii found that "profound and potentially lasting harm" is done to children who are stigmatized by peers and parents because of their weight.

"The study analyzes published research gathered from psychological, medical, social science, and educational databases. Over 100 studies were included that offered evidence on the associations between obesity, stigma and a variety of negative consequences..."

Negative consequences included low self esteem, social exclusion and eating disorders.

Read more at WebWire.com.

Labels: self_esteem, influences, eating_disorders

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