Adolescent Obesity and Depression Essay

Obesity has been a life long struggle. While myself and fifty percent of adults in the United States are battling obesity, the psychological effects have become larger than the obesity itself. Not only are we forced to deal with the physical effects of being overweight, I, like others have had to overcome the psychological effects as well. Low self esteem has been a challenge and has ultimately fueled my bout with depression. Although obesity, low self esteem, and depression are three separate issues, they are all linked and are all relevant to not only me, but to millions of Americans.

Obesity presents numerous health risks, both physical and mental. Obesity has been linked to or is a risk factor for many non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease (including stroke and heart) type two diabetes, many cancers (including breast, colorectal….), musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis, depression and mental health disorders. Obesity along with all of the alarming health implications have the ability to

Childhood obesity has both the immediate and the long-term health effects, for instance, a greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, asthma, and emotional and psychological problems such as bullying by peers, low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression (Saha et al., 2011, Black et al., 2013, Barton, 2012, Daniels et al., 2005). Moreover, children with overweight

Before recently depression and obesity was only considered as an adult health issue. Now childhood obesity is common in every school and it comes straight from the household. Obesity can lead to low self-esteem, poor self image, and social isolation, these are all factors in depression. These two conditions have been categorized into two separate departments because of the physical aspect. However, the emotional state of the two goes hand in hand. With the childhood obesity rate on the rise, we are beginning to see children suffer from mood disorders such as depression. These children are supposed to be at the peak of their life, but are being drug down by a problem they cannot control. If a child is obese they are more than likely to have lower self-esteem than their thinner peers. When peers realize they are different, the obese child becomes a victim of this stereotypical world. The children could be subject to bullying, teasing, and name calling. The child may begin to blame themselves for the state they are in and they will feel like an outcast. Sports is just another topic that obese children struggle with. Sports involve stamina and strength, something that obese children do not have. They will struggle to have the same dynamic movement as their competitors. All of these factors play into having even lower self-esteem, proving to be an uphill

Overweight and obesity in youth are known to have huge effect on both physical and mental wellbeing. Overweight and obese youngsters are probably going to remain hefty into adulthood and more inclined to create non-transferable illnesses like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a more youthful age. The instrument of heftiness improvement is not completely comprehended and it is accepted to be a disorder with multiple causes. Environmental factors, lifestyle preferences, and social condition assume vital parts in the rising commonness of obesity around the world. As a rule, overweight and obesity are thought to be the aftereffects of an expansion in caloric and fat intake. Then again, there are supporting proof that over the top sugar allow by soda pop, increased portion size, and enduring decrease in physical movement have been assuming significant parts in the rising rates of obesity all around the globe. Youth obesity can significantly influence kids' physical wellbeing, social, and emotional well-being, and self-esteem. It is likewise connected with poor academic execution and a lower personal satisfaction experienced by the

Childhood obesity has now reached an epidemic in several parts of the United States. As a result, children now have a higher risk to have numerous chronic and acute medical problems. Several of the long-lasting medical problems a child might face as a result of obesity could eventually result in death. In addition to chronic medical problems, childhood obesity has severe psychosocial effects on an individual such as low self-esteem and depression. Childhood obesity is a serious problem that is caused by a numerous amount of factors that can eventually lead to severe health complications.

Obesity contributes to the onset of multiple health problems. According to Eagle et al. obese students struggle more with “unfavorable physiological markers of lipid profile, blood pressure, fitness, and blood sugar” (Eagle et al., 2010 P.1188). Childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity are associated with many serious health conditions hypertensions, type-two diabetes, fatty liver disease, hyperlipidemia, asthma, sleep apnea, and certain types of cancer. There are also many psychological problems for children and adolescents suffering from obesity including, depression, lower self-esteem, and behavioral problems (Moreno et al., 2013). Obesity has many serious health affects that need

The alarming increase in obesity that is a big problem today and was not problem in the past. “According to estimates from the Canadian Community Health Survey, rates of overweight and obesity have risen sharply in the two decades and one in four Canadian children is overweight”. Clearly, obesity not just a cosmetic problem, but it is a health hazard that result in many diseases such as” high blood, raised cholesterol and insulin levels, type 2 diabetes, and bone and joint problems”. Evidently, Obesity has also many negative effects with psychosocial on a children’s life such as poor self confident. Early onset of obesity in children has serious consequences and health concerns for them. Children who are exposed to poor eating habits, a sedentary

Topic: Childhood Obesity Introduction I. Attention-getter: Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States. Childhood obesity can lead to poor self-esteem and depression. II.

As the audience is well educated about the physiological effects of obesity, it’s important for them to also know about the psychological effects of obesity. It is essential to approach obesity with an understanding of the social stigma that obese people go through in their everyday life. In an article Stigma, Obesity, And the Health of the Nation's Children, Puhl and Latner stated “There is a growing literature demonstrating that overweight and obese children and adolescents are targets of societal stigmatization. Research suggests that overweight and obese youths are victims of bias and stereotyping by peers, educators, and even parents” (557). Verbal teasing, physical bullying, and relational victimization is the stigma faced by overweight and obese children every day in school. Adults that are overweight and obese face social disadvantages in multiple fields of living, including education, healthcare, employment and interpersonal relationships. Another big psychological problem associated with obesity is depression. A research done by Boutelle, an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, and et al. proved that adolescent females with higher weight were considered to have depression along the pathway to their life (295). Not that obesity is just effecting your physical health but it can also make your mental health weak. According to the most recent

In addition to the adverse health effects obese children are also more likely to face emotional and psychological problems because of social stigmas and discrimination they may face from their peers, and maybe even their own family. This can lead to a high occurrence of low self-esteem and depression in such children (Braet, 1997).

Obesity and overweight definitions have changed with time but is currently defined as an excess of body fat. There are several causes of childhood obesity which include metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, orthopedic disorders, neurological disorders, hepatic disorders, pulmonary disorders, environmental factors, lifestyle preferences, cultural environment, and renal disorders. It affects physical health, social wellbeing, emotional wellbeing and self esteem. Most people believe that childhood obesity is caused by an increased intake of calories and fat. There is evidence that supports excessive sugar, increased portion size and a steady decline in physical activity all play a major role in the rising rates of obesity. Children who

Today, comparatively nine million youngster over the age of six are examined to be obese. Throughout the years, rates of childhood obesity have increased among children ages 6 to 11. Obese children are progressively developing severe medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, a disease correlated with obesity that was once referred to as “adult onset” diabetes. Obese children also have a greater risk for developing health complications later in life, including heart attack, stroke, and hypertension. In addition, they face mental health risks, as teasing about weight and personal appearance may lead to isolation and depression. Strategies like cutting out TV and sugar-sweetened drinks may help reduce a child’s weight or prevent future weight

Obesity can affect a person’s life in a lot of ways. One way it can increases the risk of diseases and health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. In other way, it can increase the risk of emotional difficulties. According to the American academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, teenagers who are obese have much lower self-esteem and are less known in their school. They also note that disorders such as depression and anxiety can happen to these teenagers. To attack the obesity issue between young children and teens, the schools are helping them to eat healthier by encouraging the kids to grow and prepare the food themselves. This approach might help the children to change their food preferences and choose what’s best for them. Researchers found that children

Prevention of childhood obesity in young people is not only to checkmate type II diabetes increment among the children, but has been universally viewed as the best approach to reverse global prevalence of adult obesity and related diseases (Ji, 2008), And associated health burdens are type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk factors, fatty liver disease, binge eating, and frequent fatigue which can lead to depression.