The effects of child obesity are many and varied. However, leading literature on the subject: both medical and circular do not give the subject the particular attention it deserves.
For works that focus on the subjects proper and give it the huge attention worthy to it, the language is usually dense and jargon filled. Accordingly thus, if you as a reader has no prior background in medical sciences, it becomes near impossible understanding such a dense mass of jargon and drawing any meaningful conclusions out of it.
This entry is (very) different. Though written by professionals who are well versed in medicine and the medical sciences, it takes the ‘lay man’s approach’. Everything is thus presented in clear, simple English and jargon is kept at bay.
Now, follow us down the page – let’s show you the direct effects of child obesity.
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Effects of Child Obesity
Listed below are the effects of child obesity:
- High blood pressure.
- Increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Heart burns.
- Social problems such as bullying and stigma.
- Anxiety and depression.
- Breathing problems such as asthma.
- Joint problem and general body discomfort.
- Low self esteem.
The Effects of Childhood Obesity: A Detailed Approach
The effects of childhood obesity mentioned in the previous section are brief, minimal and right to the point. In this section, we’re going to see how these effects play on the health and general well being of our kids.
Here we are:
1. High Blood Pressure
The number one effect of child obesity is the increased risk – and often, the actual increase in the blood pressure of a child.
With an abnormal blood pressure, other health challenges, such as difficulty sleeping or enjoying other normal activities children enjoy set in.
If the weight of such a child is not watched or stabilized, he/she may need to take dedicated drugs in order to stabilize the pressure. However, even with dedicated blood stabilizing drugs, the long term efficacy of such drugs is not guaranteed – unless the weight of such a child is closely watched, monitored and reduced to the manageable norm.
2. Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Closely related to the challenge of high blood pressure for obese kids is the reality of increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.
For children, this is a horrible medical condition that is better imagined than actually experienced and managed.
Further, if not properly managed in children, this variant of Diabetes can easily degenerate into a serious medical condition that would require the attention of doctors and well alter a child’s normal life.
In unfortunate circumstances, especially in instances where proper medical care is not available, this can sadly, prove fatal.
3. Heart Burns
No one loves painful, choking heartburns. However, with obese children, this is something that is recurrent – and usual, at least for them.
To stop its recurrence (or at least, ease the pain when it happens), an antacid suspension will need to be administered to the child, something he/she may not be matured enough to (always) carry along.
However, the pain of a burning heart is real and very harsh, even for adults. The pain and inconvenience for kids is accordingly, best imagined than actually felt.
4. Social Problems Such as Bullying & Stigma
Our society is critical of body size and takes a special delight in telling people – or at least, expecting a certain size of persons, kids/children not excepting; all thanks to the media and social conventions.
An obese child will thus naturally experience serious stigma and bullying in the school, during religious services and everywhere else children are gathered.
This has a very negative way of draining a child’s energy and generally, downplaying his/her worth, even in his/her own eyes.
When this happens and is not curbed, a seriously socially maladjusted child is already in the making; a reality no one will like in the end for his/her child.
5. Anxiety and Depression
As little as a child may be, he or she is bound to feel the stress of societal judgement on his/her weight and is bound to be anxious about the reaction and further, depressed.
Extending from the point immediately treated above, such a child is bound to be withdrawn socially and would certainly wind up shunning the company of other children and if this is not tackled, will further grow into shunning the company of other persons as a grown up.
Generally, this is how socially withdrawn persons are made and importantly, this is how hermits and recluses come to be!
6. Breathing Problems Such as Asthma
Another sad challenge that presents itself when children are obese is the reality of breathing problems, especially such challenges as Asthma.
Now, breathing challenges can be life threatening and cases of fatality can be recorded when they occur and proper care is not given or they happen when an adult is not close by to offer immediate first aid.
Additionally, for such cases as Asthma, it is particularly tricky relying on a mere kid to ensure that he/she carries an inhaler everywhere they go and actually use same when they are in need of it.
The effect, to be sincere, is life threatening and quite challenging to manage, to say the very least.
7. Joint Problems and General Body Discomfort
Children who are obese also have problems with their joints and as a direct result, experience general body discomfort most of the time.
Mostly, this is caused by the heart’s inability to pump adequate blood to serve the entire body of the child. When this sad scenario plays out, the affected body parts wind up sore, thereby ensuring the highest level of discomfort for a kid.
Usually, the most hit areas are the joints. This particular issue is aggravated when the kid spends the bulk of his/her time idle – in a sedentary fashion.
8. Low Self Esteem
Finally, this is one of the greatest and most persistent issues that plaques an obese child, right well into adulthood: an extremely low self esteem.
With the manner society abhors persons who are fat, lays blame on them and ultimately sees them as gluttons, this reality spirals right to the top and in extreme cases, leads to suicide, even when the child has grown into an adult.
Aside the fatality of suicide and premature death arising as a direct consequence of a low self esteem, children who lack self esteem because of their obese status/nature wind up unproductive and generally scared of life, a situation that leads them to wind up right into unproductivity with poor grades and an extremely anti-social life as a direct consequence.
Wrap up on Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity is no joke; the challenges it presents are always legion (the major ones have been mentioned here).
To avoid these challenges, it is advised that, if your child is obese, you should immediately look for smart and active ways to tackle such obesity at home – right after isolating the cause.
However, if you cannot handle issues at home, it is suggested that the earlier you see a qualified medical practitioner, the better.
Finally, kindly understand that without your own resolve to help your child (and his/her active willingness to be helped), you’ll simply be wasting your time and in the end, start/discover yourself right where you initially began!