Children who are overweight tend to lack confidence in their physical appearance and ability levels. Overweight and obese children shy away from competitive sports due to their inability to keep up with their healthy counterparts. When this happens, a sedentary livestyle begins to set in and take over. The overweight child will turn to binge or emotional eating to cope with their feelings. These psychosocial factors may show themselves as well in behavior problems as the child looks for some sort of attention other than being the overwieght kid. This could also be a result of being picked on early in their school years and turning those internal feelings outward and imposing their hurt onto others. During their teens years, this behavior becomes more evident. Changes in outward appearance, becoming recluse and avoiding social settings, changes in music and movies can all be signs of emotional distress. Suddenly quiting activities , cutting ties with friends, and academic changes for the worse can be signs of depression settling in as well. There are many resources available through school social workers once brought to their attention.
If you see these warning signs, here are some steps to take:
Take your child on a walk and have an open conversation.
Try to increase their amount of sleep at night. If falling asleep is difficult, try introducing yoga or meditatation prior to bed time. This will calm the body and mind to allow for an easier time of rest.
Find ways to have fun as a family. Reintroduce social settings .
Help your child with counseling or a mentorship to have someone to talk to. Big brother/Big Sister.
Be present in your child's life. Offer to accomplish or try something new with them.
Franklin, J., Denyer, G., Steinbeck, K. S., Caterson, I. D., & Hill, A. J. (2006, December 01). Obesity and Risk of Low Self-esteem: A Statewide Survey of Australian Children. Retrieved December 8, 2018, from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/118/6/2481?download=true