Childhood Obesity Contributes To Depressed Mood

Kids who are obese may end up depressed and with very few friends. A research said the way people treat overweight kids lead them to become introverts.

PsychCentral said researchers from the University of Arkansas for Medical Science, Oklahoma State University, West Virginia University and the University of North Carolina-Greensboro found that obese kids are teased by their peers. Their classmates and friends would often make fun of them affecting their social capability.

"Severe obesity is a clear psychosocial risk for children, even as early as six years old," Oklahoma State University professor and study author Dr. Amanda W. Harrist said. She added that they end up feeling lonely and depressed then eventually drop out of school.

It was also highlighted in the study that obesity among children have quadrupled in the past four decades among individuals aged 6 to 11. In the United States today, one in 20 kids are tagged as severely obese.

According to Business Standard, children who are obese become rejected by other kids and they end up stress eating thus adding more weight to their already unhealthy bodies. Their emotions are also affected by the judgments of other people.

"Intervention or prevention efforts should begin early and target peer relationships," one of the study's author, Glade L. Topham, said. This is where parents and teachers come in to help these kids.

Educators, as per Pantagraph, should be aware of the struggles of these obese kids and save them from more shaming from other young individuals. Teachers should never show their bias to avoid fueling more mistreatment.

Harrist added in the same report that teachers play a vital role in preventing obese children from feeling depresses. "They can make the school environment a place where these children feel OK about themselves, and give them more chance of succeeding," she added.