Overweight children have low self esteem

Overweight Children Have Low Self-Esteem

Obesity is now a growing problem in the United States with over 15 percent of American children are said to be overweight according to the National Center for Health Statistics . The current rate tripled for the last 25 years and is prevalent among six to 11years old and from 12 to 19 years old . Besides being endangered to various health risks overweight children also suffer from psychological and social effects of their physical appearance . Evidence-based studies have shown that these children develop low self-esteem resulting from being

ridiculed , teased rejected , discriminated and pre-judged as unproductive by social standards . Such undesirable trait directly affects the behavior of overweight children and has become detrimental to their growth as human beings . At an early age , they already have deep emotional problems and feelings of depression , which they could carry throughout their adult life . Society often portrays them negatively like lazy people who have lack self-discipline . This stigma has a damaging impact on the children 's academic , personal , and career development resulting in social isolation

The psychological effects of childhood obesity can be equally devastating . Overweight youngsters are frequently teased by their peers and adults as individuals who are less desirable to have as friends Jokes poking fun at overweight people are common in our society . While growing up , obese children are forced to run a gamut of psychological barbs and social discriminations . As a result , they suffer low self-esteem , feel inadequate and are looked upon as the source of their own problem (KGHC , 2008 ?5 . A series of case studies will be presented in this to directly link the relationship of low self-esteem to being overweight . In most of these researches the findings clearly indicate that overweight children , especially girls , do not find any self-worth or confidence in themselves having to live a poor quality of life . In addition , continued decrease in self-esteem has been associated with increase levels of unhappiness solitude , and nervousness

In this age when appearance is a major factor , those who do not fit usually develop symptoms of depression and disconnect themselves from the rest of the world , which at times could lead to suicides . The trauma these children encounter especially in school could be demoralizing . The immediate consequences of being overweight could lead to emotional problems , anxiety , and other psychological diss . It could also force these children to practice unhealthy lifestyles like skipping meals or too much dieting . Obese children with falling self-esteem are also more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors such as smoking and alcohol consumption (Strauss , 2000 ,

. 4 . Obesity among teens under 18 is alarming . The government spends at least 120 billion a year in fighting the so called epidemic . The issue is rather complex that would involve all sectors of society to take urgent action

Self-Esteem and Obesity

Having self-esteem is an important aspect of being human because it gives us the energy to live life to the fullest . It makes us who we are and what...