Youth Obesity

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses the various effects of obesity on the lives of children. The writer notes that although research is limited linking overweight children and poor academic performance, there is at least one study linking overweight children and absenteeism. However, the writer points out that there is substantial research linking obese children and adolescents with low-self esteem, depression and anxiety disorders. Research also indicates that overweight/obese youths are more likely to be victims of teasing and verbal abuse by peers, and to be excluded from play and other social activities, leading many of them to choose younger playmates who are less likely to be judgmental. The writer concludes by showing that research has found that overweight/obese youths are at higher risks for diabetes, fatty liver, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.

From the Paper:

"One study showed that decreasing self-esteem in obese children resulted in significantly elevated levels of loneliness, sadness, and nervousness, while other studies suggest that overweight youths are unhappy with their weight and tend to experience more depressive symptoms than normal weight children.
Although verbal victimization in overweight and obese children was limited to name-calling and teasing, it did not include any reference to race, color or religion, thus is it assumed that the name-calling referenced their physical appearance. However, verbal bully-perpetrating in overweight and obese children did reference others' race, color or religion, thus it seems that obese and overweight bully-perpetrators did not want to draw attention to themselves by focusing on weight issues and instead made comments related to ethnic identity. Past studies indicate that negative stereotypes associated with overweight and obesity in childhood decline with increasing age. Overweight during adolescence was found to effect high-school performance and college acceptance. Moreover, overweight and obese children and adolescents are less likely to marry as adults, and are more likely to have lower household income than non-obese adolescents."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Dietz, William H. (1998 March 01). Health consequences of obesity in youth: childhood predictors of adult disease. Pediatrics. Retrieved June 18 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.
• Pickett, William. (2004 May 01). Associations between overweight and obesity with bullying behaviors in school-aged children. Pediatrics. Retrieved June 18 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.
• Potts-Datema, William. (2005 October 01). Obesity and student performance at school.Journal of School Health. Retrieved June 18 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.

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