Labeling Youth Obesity

1036 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Impact of childhood obesity on self esteem

Labeling Youth Obesity
Weight and appearance is the cornerstone of either damage or endearment to a person’s self-esteems. Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. A BMI chart uses the figures obtained from your index to calculate body mass and classify your build based on where you are on the graph. Terms like over-weight and obese are used to describe the upper extremes. These terms present multiple forms of social prejudice, and therefore should not be used to label those with excessive weight. Labels like obese have negative connotations and when placed on a person they can have devastating psychological effects. Mild depressive disorders, body dissatisfaction and psychological maladjustment are disorders common to those struggling with being branded as obese. Children with these labels are at a higher risk of being subject to social abuse over time. Society should eliminate weight classifications and labels in order to keep youth from being exposed to social degradation at a young age.
The negative implications associated with labels damage children dealing with weight in several ways. According to a study from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development overweight/obese young people are more likely to experience impaired peer relationships, stigmatization, and weight bias compared to their normal- weight peers. (Farhat, Ianotti, & Simons-Morton, 2010) Interaction with other children is a crucial aspect of social development. Through peer relationships youth develop the skills necessary to function properly in society as adults. Stigmatization can lead to the child being ashamed of their appearance, which can adversely affect the health of their self-esteem and potentially...

... middle of paper ...

...ate that obese children and adolescents are subjected to social rejection, discrimination and negative stereotyping and such experiences could be expected to lead to negative consequences in terms of self-image, self-esteem and mood. More people would benefit from the obesity classification being discontinued. It is far less likely that these labels with serve as positive motivation for a healthier lifestyle. If we stopped labeling children and overweight and obese while still applying positive reinforcement toward physical wellness the outcome would yield a larger quantity of youth willing to develop healthy habits. With a weakened level of self-esteem, that willingness and motivation will not exist. The negative connotations associated with obesity labeling are damaging to youth and will make it difficult for them to efficiently develop into adulthood.

Show More
Related

  • Louise: An Emotional Binge Eater

    890 Words  | 2 Pages

    O’Dea, Jennifer A. "Evidence for a Self-Esteem Approach in the Prevention of Body Image and Eating Problems among Children and Adolescents." Eating Disorders 12.3 (2004): 225-39. Web. Apr. 2014.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Progressive Movements In America

    1464 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is natural for a society to be concerned for the future generations. With the rate of obesity growing in adults and children, many begin to see it as an issue that needs to be addressed. New reports show “ childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years” (cdc.gov). Overweight and obese are not actually the same. Overweight is defined as “having excess body weight for a particular height from fat,” and obesity is defined as “having excess body fat” (cdc.gov). With obesity comes the chance for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Both can be

    Read More

  • The Center for Disease Control Discusses Childhood Obesity

    532 Words  | 2 Pages

    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discuss about childhood obesity. With CDC, this research is very useful in helping others understand what overweight and obesity is. Having excess body weight for a particular height from fat, bone, muscle, water, or a combination of all is being overweight. Obesity is just having excess body fat. It states about obesity occurring to children and adolescents that has passed since 30 years. The first stage of this phenomenon starts as a person being overweight which will lead to obesity. More than one-third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese. The result for both of these terms is a caloric-imbalance which is an amount of too few calories that is consumed and is affected by many genetics, behavioral, and environmental factors. From this source CDC gives a specific estimate percentage of children aged 6–11 years that is more overly obese. In the United States in 1980 who were obese increased from 7% to nearly 18% in 2012. Furthermore over the same period, the percentage of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese increased from 5% to nearly 21%. Additionally, there is a list of health effects of childhood obesity and inform immediate and long-term health effects. Tips are also included here to prevent any other health problems relating to obesity. It does not clearly teach every step of how to prevent it, but giving out ideas on how to solve the problem yourself.

    Read More

  • Obesity in Children Across America

    1344 Words  | 3 Pages

    Obesity in children across America has become an increasing public health concern. Obesity has been identified as an epidemic that is plaguing our children in the United States. In some countries around the world children are dying of starvation everyday. How can this happen when here in America the opposite is a major problem? This is not to say that in America there are no hungry or starving children. It has been proven that our children suffer from obesity, and “children who are overweight or obese as preschoolers are five times as likely as normal-weight children to be overweight or obese as adults” (“Hope”). Obesity not only can cause a child to become more prone to having health problems down the road, but it can also make them feel insecure about themselves. There needs to be action taken in schools as well as in homes to help prevent this growing epidemic.

    Read More

  • The Globalisation of Obesity

    3548 Words  | 8 Pages

    Interest in the social aspects of obesity is nothing new. Jeffrey Sobal has written extensively about the social and psychological consequences of obesity , including the stigmatisation and discrimination of obese and even overweight individuals (Sobal 2004).

    Read More

  • Goffman and Stigmatization: The Stigma That Obese Individual Suffers From

    2594 Words  | 6 Pages

    Puhl, Rebecca, and Kelly D. Brownell. "Ways of Coping with Obesity Stigma: Review and Conceptual Analysis." Eating Behaviors 4.1 (2003): 53-78. Web.

    Read More

  • A Proposal to Reverse Obesity Rates

    1830 Words  | 4 Pages

    Many would argue that children should not focus on their weight because children should lead a youth with little worries, yet obesity affects a child much more than people with that argument think. Being overweight can cause increased risks for several serious diseases and even can result in decreased mental health on account of low self-esteem and social discrimination. Children who are overweight also are at least twice as likely to have heart disease, diabetes, and orthopedic problems (Internicola, 2009). Sadly, children are being pressured into unhealthy lifestyles even more so than adults are.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Childhood Obesity

    1327 Words  | 3 Pages

    Many children who are obese are the targets of bullying from other children. Self-esteem can be greatly damaged from a disease that can be prevented. Having an obese or once obese person tell the stories of struggle, difficulties and how life is greatly impacted by not eating right and exercising could have a great influence on just how serious obesity is. In the academic journal, “Childhood obesity and Self-Esteem”, has found that there are social and emotional effects from childhood obesity. Other than just low self-esteem, obesity can lead to “Smoking and consuming alcohol” (Strauss 3) compared to children who are not obese. Preventing obesity could also decrease the rate of smoking and drinking in children underage. The more than one solution to how this can be done, for parents and students, for schools “Replacing vending machines containing unhealthy foods and drinks and replace with healthy items” (Green 4). This has been increasing in many schools and even colleges; Montgomery College has also taken the steps of changing the vending machine. Another resolution for schools is to “Provide quality daily physical education for all students. Be sure to select activities that are fun, challenging, and aerobic in nature” (Green

    Read More

  • Annotated Bibliography: Childhood Obesity

    704 Words  | 2 Pages

    ... now commonly associated with obesity. The author also goes into details about health risks such as gallstones and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. Yung also mentions psychological and social consequences that are associated with childhood obesity. According to Yung (2009), childhood obesity has significant impact on the emotional development of the child or adolescent, who suffers discrimination and stigmatization, as the obese individual is often associated with negative characteristics, and commonly regarded as a glutton and greedy, weak-minded and ill-disciplined. Yung also goes on by saying that the negative factors work against a child with weight problem, they tend to have fewer opportunities in school, and smaller social circle. I am going to use this article to support my research by using the details on the different health consequences Yung mentions.

    Read More

  • Childhood Obesity

    1849 Words  | 4 Pages

    Childhood obesity is a serious problem among American children. Some doctors are even calling childhood obesity an epidemic because of the large percentage of children being diagnosed each year as either overweight or obese. “According to DASH sixteen to thirty-three percent of American children each year is being told they are obese.” (Childhood Obesity) There is only a small percentage, approximately one percent, of those children who are obese due to physical or health related issues; although, a condition that is this serious, like obesity, could have been prevented. With close monitoring and choosing a healthier lifestyle there would be no reason to have such a high obesity rate in the United States (Caryn). Unfortunately, for these children that are now considered to be obese, they could possibly be facing some serious health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancers. All of these diseases have been linked to obesity through research. These children never asked for this to happen to them; however, it has happened, and now they will either live their entire life being obese, or they will be forced to reverse what has already been done (Childhood Obesity).

    Read More

  • Public Health Issue of Obesity

    1264 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ies (Glanz, 2001). Societal expectations and norms have gone more to the healthier side of eating and physical activity passed on people's perceptions. Childhood obesity is a main concern in the public health world and is matter that must be handled by not only the parents of the children, but policy development industries and health promotion organizations in order to increase their health and decrease the national obesity rate.

    Read More

  • Obesity and Physical Deviance

    2442 Words  | 5 Pages

    Labeling theory is what makes obesity categorized as a physical deviance. “Labeling theory (in regards to obesity) focuses on three important issues: the relativity of deviance, the societal reaction or labeling of deviance and deviants, and the outcomes of being labeled” (Heckert 34). Social control defines obesity as deviant and then labels those who are obese as deviant. Those who “overeat” and are considered overweight are seen to be contributing to their deviancy (Schaefer). So within the context of being ...

    Read More

  • Unraveling the Causes of Childhood Obesity

    2150 Words  | 5 Pages

    Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the last thirty years, it has recently become one of the major health issues in children. Children who are obese have a greater chance of getting other major health issues such as; heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. Not only does this child have a greater chance of getting other major health conditions but they also have a greater chance of getting anxiety and depression because these children get bullied for being overweight. It affects these children as they are children but also as they grow older. According to the article “What is Childhood Obesity”, “Children who are considered affected by obesity are seventy percent more likely to cont...

    Read More

  • Assignment 1 In 3 Childhood Obesity

    445 Words  | 1 Pages

    I think 1 in 3 children are obese because of various reasons. One is teens spend way too much time on their electronics each and every day and not enough time moving. Another is that there are food-related issues in our world. The final reason is parents and how their childhood, or social status. This is how 1 in 3 children are obese. These reasons are some of the main ones of how the obesity rate is so high in North Carolina.

    Read More

  • One Of The Worst Problems Facing America Today

    610 Words  | 2 Pages

    To some child and teen obesity is one of the worst problems facing America today. This is a problem because this is our next generation. Being obese and starting at a young age could lead to continuing down that road and a lifetime of problems. Some may ask things like so what’s so wrong with being a bigger or heavy set person or even obese. Well a lot of things could be. For starters when you’re young we all know the world isn’t perfect and people are mean so kids are bullied for being heavier set. That is by no means a problem I'm just stating that is a outcome of it. Next though a problem is is sets a bad example and lead for kids. Being obese is a hard walk through life in so many different ways. It is more expensive, less fun, and more dangerous.

    Read More

More about Labeling Youth Obesity

Open Document