The Problems School-Age Children With Obesity Face

School-age children with obesity face many problems, both physically and psychologically. These childrens problems will only compound as time goes on. Unless the problem of obesity in school age children is faced, we will have an adult society with overwhelming issues in the next few years.

The physical problems are commonly known although the seriousness of the problems is not really understood. School-age children who are obese will have a much harder time with weight issues as they reach adulthood. The more fat cells which are developed in the human body, the harder it is for weight to be controlled.

Fat cells, once developed, are not lost but merely decrease in size. Fat cells develop in a child very easily due to the bodys survival instinct. Over history, humans have faced times of feast and famine. The human body has since become conditioned to prepare for times of famine.

School-age children with obesity are well prepared for famine. The problem with this is that we are not likely to face famines as we have in the past and these children will be unable to lose weight. These children will face health issues over time that will be life threatening and will probably cause a shorter lifespan.

Psychological Issues For School-Age Children With Obesity

School-age children are some of the cruelest people in society. When there is a child who is different from the majority, the school-age children will be highly critical of that child unless adults intervene.

For school-age children with obesity, the criticism can be very cruel. In past years children have developed phrases such as fatty, fatty, 2×4, your so big you dont fit through the door. These statements can be horribly cruel. These phrases and teasing will no doubt cause long term effects on the psychological well-being of the overweight child.

While adults need to be concerned with helping the children to lose weight and live healthy lives, the children may need to have counseling for the mental health issues that can be long lasting. School-age children with obesity need to have the support of adults to lose weight and to have a good self-esteem.

The other children in school need to be taught to accept differences in others and to help when these differences are harmful. School-age children can learn from both situations which can in turn help them to become more successful adults.