CHILDHOOD OBESITY

Childhood Obesity



The Effects of Childhood obesity on self-esteem

Introduction

Obesity in the United States and other countries is an important and rising public fitness crisis. Obesity is growing in United States with an increasing rate. Obesity amongst adults, young people, and children is gradually more encountered in medical settings, and a responsiveness of present etiological models, evaluation strategies, and involvement methodologies is essential for the optimal organization of this significant health problem. Between 5 to 25 children per hundred are obese in USA. It comprises 15% of the children population. Obesity is an increase in excess body fats which leads to the growth of the body weight. Childhood obesity is a weight-for-height in excess of 120 percent. It is a chronic disorder which has multiple causes (Huston, 2009).

Description of Obesity

A consensus has emerged during recent years that one of the best methods for clinically defining obesity is the body mass index (BMI). The formula for BMI is weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (w/h2). Despite its widespread use, there are limits to BMI as a measure of weight status. For instance, it cannot be used as a specific indicator of the level of body fat on the individual, and it is influenced by factors such as age, gender, and exercise status (i.e., sedentary vs. active). Older individuals tend to have a higher percentage of body fat than do younger individuals for a given BMI, and people who work out regularly. Prevalence statistics reported during the past few years reveal an astonishing increase in the level of overweight and obese individuals in the United States (Paxton, 2005).

Physical Problems

A wide variety of health problems are associated with obesity. It has been estimated that 325,000 deaths could be attributed to obesity each year. An overweight or obese status has been linked to such seemingly disparate health problems as heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, stroke, arthritis, breathing problems (sleep apnea), high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, gout, and gallstones.

Psychological and Psychosocial Problems

A wide variety of psychological problems have been examined as a concomitant of obesity, and perhaps even more research efforts during recent years have focused on the psychosocial consequences of obesity. Psychosocial consequences entail the specific interpersonal, social, and occupational problems encountered by the obese individual specifically due to an elevated weight status such as being teased about one's size, facing societal prejudice against obesity (which may have economic consequences), and encountering physical barriers (e.g., plane seats that are too small) (Branden, 1969).

The association of a particular type of eating disturbance—binge eating—has been noted as an associate of obesity for many years. During recent years, binge eating disorder has been proposed as a new entry in the DSM and is currently included in the DSM-IV as a disorder in need of further study. The issue is relevant for obesity because perhaps 30% to 40% of individuals with binge eating disorder are also obese. In addition, individuals with binge eating disorder have higher levels of depression than ...