Peer Pressure Plays a Part in Childhood ObesityYou see on every playground in the country- a child who stands on the sidelines and does not participate. More and more often that child is overweight or obese. Obesity in children has many serious health consequences that can last a lifetime including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. But, consider the social and emotional issues. Children who are 'carrying a little extra weight' are often teased by other children. The names are cruel and the result is devastating. Unfortunately, it does not stop there. Sometimes adults, family members and even teachers can be just as unkind. Harry Chugani, a pediatric neurobiologist at Wayne State University was quoted in Newsweek Magazine in 1996 as saying, "Early experiences are so powerful that they completely change the way a person turns out." Children that are teased about their weight suffer tremendously. The stress and anxiety caused by a child's dislike of their body often makes them withdraw. They give up trying to engage in physical activity because they can't keep up or compete. It's important to note, even children that are of normal weight are trying to be thinner and thinner because of peer pressure. As the incidence of childhood obesity increases, the health problems and peer pressure children experience can turn into adult obesity. To stop the cycle, we need to understand both the health issues and the emotional distress caused by childhood obesity and take small steps to influence children to become more active. If we don't move quickly, children will give up and remain just another statistic.
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