Childhood obesity: Root of various problems - Essay Example

? Childhood obesity: Root of various problems of the of the Outline I. Introduction II. Definition III. Effects on Physical Health A. Type 2 diabetes B. Foot problems IV. Psychological Problems V. Psychosocial Problems VI. Other effects of obesity A. Adult obesity B. Belonging to an obese family C. Complication of Minor Medical Significance D. Disadvantages in Healthcare Provisions E. Adverse Psychosocial Outcomes in Adulthood VII. Overview of Effects VIII. Conclusion Abstract Obesity in children and adolescents has become an epidemic in the United States. The rapid increase in the rates of obesity in children has posed a great challenge in front of the medical and social sectors. Researches have revealed that obesity affect not only the childhood of a person but also the life chances and expectancy of children who are obese. Researches have revealed that obesity affects the children and adolescents in extremely negative way. In fact, obesity becomes a catalyst in development of major psychological, physical and social problems in life of child who is obese. This paper gives an insight into the review of the research literature that shows how obesity affects the children and adolescents. Introduction Obesity in children and adolescents has become a major health issue in last few decades (Freedman, 2009, p. 6). In last thirty years, the number of children suffering from obesity has tripled (Freedman, 2009, p. 6). In the United States, the rate of children who are overweight or obese is 30% (Miller, Rosenbloom & Silversteing, 2004, p. 4211). Worldwide, 22 million children under 5 year of age are reported by the data from International Obesity Task Force to be overweight or obese, (Miller, Rosenbloom & Silversteing, 2004, p. 4211). It has also been found that the prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents worldwide has grown so much that it has replaced other health related problems in children (Miller, Rosenbloom & Silversteing, 2004, p. 4211). For example, it has been found that overweight and obesity among children has becomes four times more common than malnutrition in Africa (Miller, Rosenbloom & Silversteing, 2004, p. 4211). These figures show how severe the problem f obesity has become. Moreover, what is more concerning is the fact that obesity continues in adulthood and it is estimated that “more than two thirds of children of 10 years and older who are obese will become obese as adults” (Miller, Rosenbloom & Silversteing, 2004, p. 4211). The research studies show that children and adolescents who are obese experience various negative consequences in life. Obesity affects not only the physical health of children and adolescents but also their social and emotional life. Hence, immediate and important steps are needed to be taken if prevalence of obesity is to be reduced in children, as it not only affects the personal lives of children who are obese, but also affects the society as a whole. Definition In scientific terms, obesity is defined as “weighing more than 30 percent over the weight defined as typical for one’s age, height, and gender by standard weight tables” (Freedman, 2009, p. 4). Body mass index (BMI) is the technique that is frequently used to measure the obesity (Freedman, 2009, p. 4). Generally, a person is considered healthy when his BMI is 18.5 to 25 (Freedman, 2009, p. 5). Overweight is indicated by BMI of 25 to 30 (Freedman, 2009, p. 5). A person is considered obese when the BMI is 30 to 40, and the BMI over 40 indicates obesity that is morbid or dangerous (Freedman, 2009, p. 5). Another way to define overweight or obesity is when the “BMI is more than 95th percentile” (Miller, Rosenbloom & Silversteing, 2004, p. 4211). The definition of obesity clearly shows that it increases the load of body and also puts a lot of pressure on different internal organs of the body. Hence, it is not surprising to find that obesity becomes a cause for many medical complications in children and adolescents. Effects on Physical Health Obesity is the root of many minor and life threatening medical conditions in children and adolescents. Due to the overweight, unhealthy eating patterns and incapability to engage in physical activities, the body becomes vulnerable to weakness and illnesses. Moreover, lack of exercise and absence of healthy social life makes children and adolescents who are obese, lethargic. This in turn affects the healthy balance between consumption and expenditure of energy. Hence, obesity in childhood gives rise to many medical problems which are sometimes life threatening in nature. Type 2 Diabetes Obesity in children is known to cause many physical problems. Physical condition like type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes may occur in children who are obese (Bergin, C. & Bergin, D., 2012, p. 71). A dramatic increase in diabetes has been observed in children who are obese (Bergin, C. & Bergin, D., 2012, p. 71). The physical conditions like hardening of arteries, kidney problems, eye disease, and even death, are associated with type 2 diabetes in children and hence, children who are suffering from obesity are at risk of developing these conditions (Bergin, C. & Bergin, D., 2012, p. 72). Moreover, the life expectancy of a children decreases by 17-26 years if they are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 10 (Vargas & Dalton, 2012, p. 200). Sadly, type 2 diabetes in children not only decreases quantity of life but also affects the quality of life adversely (Vargas & Dalton, 2012, p. 200). The physical illnesses like diabetes and asthma, which are caused by obesity, have a tendency to become chronic and last for a lifetime (Kersh & Elbel, 2011, p.282). According to Krishnamoorthy, Hart and Jelalian (2006), conditions like “early onset of puberty in girls, sleep apnea, asthma, and problems with joints and bones” are also linked with obesity in children (Bergin, C. & Bergin, D., 2012, p. 72). This shows that obesity has a potential to cause extremely negative and life threatening physical conditions in children. The other major problem that is found to be common in children who are obese is the problem related to feet. Foot problems One of the major physical problems that are strongly associated with obesity in children is the deformities in physical organs. Specific deformities of feet, knee and hip joints are found to be strongly associated with obesity in children and adolescents (Gunther, 2004, p. 145). Continuous mechanical overload due to the overweight body results in degradation of cartilage even if the deformities of single joints do not manifest in physical form (Gunther, 2004, p. 145). Physical condition like knee osteoarthritis (OA) and hip osteoarthritis are strongly associated with obesity in children (Gunther, 2004, p. 145). Moreover, evidence has proved that obesity in children and adolescents is the cause of OA (Gunther, 2004, p. 145). Sadly, the negative effects of obesity in children are not limited only to the condition of body, but it also affects other important aspects of children’s life. Psychological problems According to studies by Dietz (1998) and Strauss (2000), social problems like discrimination, teasing, bullying and peer rejection are constantly experienced by children who are obese (Eneli & Mantinan, 2008, p.192). According to the researchers, these social problems lead to development of low self-esteem, which in turn affects the eating behavior of children who are obese (Eneli & Mantinan, 2008, p.192). Low self-esteem causes many psychological problems in children. Sadly, the likelihood of engaging in high-risk behavior such as smoking and using alcohol increases in children and adolescents who are obese as they suffer from low self-esteem (Eneli & Mantinan, 2008, p.192). Moreover, the social pressure on overweight children and their families is more compared to pressure on lean children, as the social expectations are distorted due to accelerated growth and early physical maturation in children who are overweight (Eneli & Mantinan, 2008, p.192). These negative social experiences and pressure takes its toll on the mind of children suffering from obesity. The social and emotional maladjustment leads to development of severe psychological problems. A study by Eisenberg, Neumark-Sztainer, Haines, & Wall (2006), revealed that the mental disturbances and emotional upheavals persist in children who are obese even after five years of being teased or bullied by their peers (Eneli & Mantinan, 2008, p.193). In fact, according to study by Reilly et al. (2003), instead of decreasing, the psychological problems experienced by overweight children and adolecsncts, in fact, increase with growing age (Eneli & Mantinan, 2008, p.193). A study of population-based sample of adolescents by Neumark-Sztainer et al. (2002) revealed that 58% of boys and 63% of girls were teased by others about their obesity (Eneli & Mantinan, 2008, p.193). This kind of treatment from others also affects the behavior of children who are obese. For example, study by Janssen, Craig, Boyce and Pickett (2004) has found that “while overweight children are more likely than average weight children to be the victims of bullying, they are also more likely to bully other children” (Eneli & Mantinan, 2008, p.193). It is the low self-esteem and the exclusion from peer social groups and activities that gives rise to the bi-directional bullying behavior in children and adolescents who are obese (Eneli & Mantinan, 2008, p.193). In this way, the psychological problems develop behavioral problems in children who are obese. Children who are overweight are rated the least desirable to have as friends even by the children who are just 10 to 11 years old (Eneli & Mantinan, 2008, p.193). This shows that overweight or obesity is looked down not only by adults but also by children. Sadly, obesity not only affects the social and personal lives of children and adolescents but also affect their financial and professional lives in future. It has been proved through different studies that obesity in childhood and adolescence affects the social status of person. Research studies have proved that negative social and economical consequences are strongly associated with obesity in adolescence (Eneli & Mantinan, 2008, p.193). Psychosocial problems Children suffering from obesity experience social and emotional problems on large scale. Research study by Gable, Krull and Chang (2009) has revealed that problems like loneliness, depression, anxiety and lack of self-control in classroom affect children who are obese (Bergin, C. & Bergin, D., 2012, p. 72). Study by Bell and Morgan (2000) has revealed that peers of children who are obese find them to be less likeable (Bergin, C. & Bergin, D., 2012, p. 72). It is important to note that peers as young as age 3 also express dislike for children who are obese (Bergin, C. & Bergin, D., 2012, p. 72). This shows that obesity is associated with disapproval and negative outlook right from early childhood. Obesity as negative and weak attribute of personality is ingrained in the minds of children right from beginning. Hence, children suffering from obesity are more likely to face rejection and suppression from their peers and friends. According to BeLue, Francis and Colaco (2009), low self-esteem in school age children (but not in preschoolers) suffering from obesity, is the result of not being liked by peers, teasing by peers and weight related criticism by parents (Bergin, C. & Bergin, D., 2012, p. 72). This kind of negative treatment not only affects the present social life of overweight children but also affects the healthy development of their personality. Children suffering from obesity develop various social, emotional and physical problems. It has been found that the problems that are developed in childhood also affect their future life. One of the major problems that affect the life of children who are obese is the low self-esteem. Even though low self-esteem hampers their progress, it has been found that only some of the children who are obese have low self-esteem by the time they reach adolescence (Bergin, C. & Bergin, D., 2012, p. 72). However, according to Strauss (2000), those adolescents who do have low self-esteem due to obesity, end up being at risk of developing other problems such as smoking and drinking due to their emotional and social maladjustments (Bergin, C. & Bergin, D., 2012, p. 72). This negative pattern continues and affects the behavioral aspect of children and adolescents who are obese. Due to rejection from peers and social problems, education becomes difficult for children and adolescents. Crosnoe (2007) found that absence of college education or dropping out of college is found to be common in adolescents who are obese (Bergin, C. & Bergin, D., 2012, p. 72). Unfortunately, the problems related to obesity become intense depending on gender and cultural background of a child. It has been found that girls are affected more than boys by obesity related problems (Bergin, C. & Bergin, D., 2012, p. 72). Also, obese children from Latino and White ethnic background display stronger link between obesity and related problems than children belonging to African American ethnic background (Bergin, C. & Bergin, D., 2012, p. 72). Other Effects of Obesity Studies have found that medical and psychosocial problems exist continuously in lives of children and adolescents who are obese (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 392). Moreover, in children who are obese, there is also an increase in risks of developing ill health in adulthood (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 392). The obesity related morbid conditions that were previously considered to be relevant only to adult obesity are now also being observed in children and adolescents who are obese (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 392). The increase in obesity related morbidity in children and adolescents is due to increase in prevalence of obesity in them (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 392). Obesity is a root of various physical and psychological problems. Obesity in childhood has extremely negative and life threatening consequences on child’s life. Sadly, the consequences are related not only to the body but also in different aspects of child’s life. Moreover, childhood obesity affects the health not just in one or two ways but in many different ways. Different ways in which the obesity affects the children and adolescents are as follows: Adult Obesity Adult obesity is the one of the most important consequences of obesity in childhood and adolescence (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 392). Large cohort studies, and studies tracking obesity from childhood to adulthood, have given variable predictions of relationship between the obesity in childhood and obesity in adulthood (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 392). It means that children who are obese are likely to remain obese and gain more weight in their adulthood. There are many different studies which have proved that childhood obesity leads to adult obesity. For example, in earlier studies, it was found that “less than a third of obese adults were obese in childhood” (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 392). The fact that 75% of obese children remain obese in their adulthood was revealed in more recent studies (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 392). Sadly, due to adult-onset of obesity, children who are obese become more obese than adults (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 392). The overweight persists and it increases during adolescence, which in turn increase the likelihood of remaining obese in adulthood also (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 392). It has been found that the rate of adolescents, who are suffering from obesity, to become non-obese, is just 2% (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 392). Belonging to an Obese Family Being part of a family that is obese is the second negative consequence of obesity in childhood and adolescence (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 392). Through the studies of family, and twin and adoptee, it has been found that genetic component plays a significant role in development of obesity in children and adolescents (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 392). It has been found that there are 80% chances of development of obesity in children of two obese parents (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 392). This also means that the pattern of obesity continues and children born in the family also become vulnerable to obesity. Complication of Minor Medical Significance Children and adolescents who are obese have more chances of developing minor medical complications like heat intolerance, breathlessness on minimal exertion, tiredness, musculoskeletal discomfort, pseudo-gynecomastia, heat rash and intertrigo etc., than children and adolescents who are not obese (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 395). Even though these complications are minor in nature, they affect the overall health and management very strongly (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 395). Moreover, these complications make the healthy participation in social events very difficult as it decreases the energy level and confidence in children and adolescents who are obese. Unfortunately, the minor health complications even create disadvantages in healthcare provision. Disadvantages in Healthcare Provisions It has been observed that providing healthcare, particularly in hospital settings, to children and adolescents who are obese is very difficult (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 395). Difficulties related to anesthesia, equipment and accommodation, and drug dosage, are the main obstacles in provision of healthcare to children and adolescents suffering from obesity (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 395). Also, in case of trauma, children and adolescents who are obese experience more complications and stay longer in the intensive care unit compared to children and adolescents who are lean (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 395). Sometimes, children and adolescents who are obese may require premature admission to the adult facilities due to incapability of hospital furniture to accommodate their body size (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 395). This placement is very inappropriate for patients (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 395). In this way, there are various disadvantages in healthcare provision of children and adolescents who are obese. Adverse Psychosocial Outcomes in Adulthood Adverse psychosocial outcomes are major problems among the consequences of obesity in childhood and adolescence (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 395). A research study has revealed that in comparison to the peers who were lean and had less body weight, American women who were obese as adolescents “achieved a lower final education level, had lower incomes and greater rates of poverty and were less likely to marry” (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 395). These findings were repeated even in the studies carried out in Britain. In British study, even though the males who remained obese as adults did not display any adverse social outcomes, the females were found to be experiencing severe psychosocial setbacks due to being overweight (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 395). The British studies found that long term unemployment and not being partnered were the problems experienced by females whose childhood obesity persisted into adulthood (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 395). It is also important to note that the lower poorer performance in people who are obese is not associated with lower intellectual function (Steinbeck, 2010, p. 395). Hence, it is clear that the poor social performance in adults who are obese is due to the social adverse conditions, low self-esteem and embarrassment they experienced during their childhood and adolescence due to their obesity. Overview of Effects The percentage of children that are thought to be obese today is approximately 15% (Freedman, 2009, p. 5). Compared to Canada, Australia and Europe, the rates of childhood obesity are more in the United States of America (Veugelers & Fitzgerald, 2005, p. 432). Number of health problems, along with high blood pressure and diabetes, are increasing in young people due to obesity (Freedman, 2009, p. 5). It has been found that life expectancy gets decreased by 5-20 years due to obesity in young adults (Miller, Rosenbloom & Silversteing, 2004, p. 4211). The quality of the life of children and adolescents who are obese gets decreased as the excessive body weight impacts the self-esteem negatively and makes them vulnerable to co-morbidities like hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and multiple cancers (Miller, Rosenbloom & Silversteing, 2004, p. 4211). Unfortunately, the medical complications, which are expected to accompany obesity, have grown due to increase in frequency and severity of obesity in children and adolescents (Miller, Rosenbloom & Silversteing, 2004, p. 4211). The problem of impaired glucose tolerance is found in one in four overweight children in 6-to-12-year age group, and at least one risk factor for heart disease is found in 60% of children who are obese (Miller, Rosenbloom & Silversteing, 2004, p. 4211). In a study of high-risk obese children in year 2002, glucose intolerance, which is precursor to type 2 diabetes, was found in 25% of children (Vargas & Dalton, 2012, p. 199). It is interesting to know that previously, the intolerance to glucose was never reported in children and adolescents (Vargas & Dalton, 2012, p. 199). Hence, it is not surprising to know that there is 3-fold increase in pediatric obesity related hospital costs in last 20 years (Miller, Rosenbloom & Silversteing, 2004, p. 4211). “The costs have reached $127 million per year and continues to grow” (Miller, Rosenbloom & Silversteing, 2004, p. 4211). This shows that the scenario of increase in childhood and adolescence related obesity is severe in nature. A deep look at the effects of obesity on children and adolescents shows how grave is the impact on their lives. The problem of obesity in children and adolescents in the United States is growing with such a rate that words like ‘alarming’ and ‘devastating’ are being used to describe the state of this condition (Kersh & Elbel, 2011, p.282). Conclusion The literature review and the discussion above have shown that obesity in children and adolescents has an extremely negative impact on their life and their future chances. Obesity affects not only the physical health of children and adolescents negatively, but also affects their psychological and social health. The low self-esteem developed due to psychosocial problems hampers their life and makes them incapable of performing to their capacity. Moreover, family and peer pressure also affect their development, which in turn makes their progress more difficult. The effects of obesity in childhood and adolescence leaves a long term impact on children and adolescents, and make them vulnerable to various physical, mental and emotional problems. Hence, it is extremely important for the health sector and the general population to come together and take immediate and strong steps to remove the problem of obesity from roots. Society can become healthy only when the threatening problem of obesity in children and adolescents will be removed completely. References Bergin, C.C. & Bergin, D.A. (2012). Child and Adolescent Development in your Classroom. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Freedman, J. (2009). The mental and physical effects of obesity. New York, NY: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. Gunther, K. (2004) Musculoskeletal consequences of obesity in youth. In: W.Kiess, C.Marcus and M. Wabitsch, ed.. Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence (pp.137-145). Basel, Switzerland : Karger AG. Kersh, R. & Elbel, B. (2011) Childhood Obesity: Public health impact and policy responses. In D. Bagchi (Ed.), Global Perspectives on Childhood Obesity: Current Status, Consequences and Prevention (pp. 281-288). San Diego, CA: Elsevier Academic Press. Miller, J., Rosenbloom, A. & Silversteing, J. (2004). Childhood Obesity. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 89 (9), 4211–4218. Steinbeck, K. (2010). Childhood Obesity: Consequences and complications. In: P.G.Kopelman, I.D. Caterson and W.H.Dietz (Eds.), Clinical Obesity in Adults and Children (Ch.29) (3rd ed) (pp.392-407). Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell. Vargas, I. & Dalton, S. (2012). Effect of obesity on development and health in childhood. In S.R. Akabas, S.A. Lederman, and B.J. Moore.(Eds.). Textbook of obesity: Biological, psychological and cultural influences. West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Veugelers, P.J. & Fitzgerald, A.L. (2005). Effectiveness of School Programs in Preventing Childhood Obesity: A Multilevel Comparison. American Journal of Public Health, 95 (3), 432-435. Read More