News
Obese Kids 63% More Likely to Be Bullied than Average-Weight Classmates
In 2010, there have been a number of studies which have started to tell us more about why obesity is such a tough, tough problem for millions.
- One study points to the origin of obesity starting before birth and on through the first year. Pregnant women need to talk to their OBs about this issue.
- Another study showed that kids whose families eat together four or more times a week are less likely to gain weight.
- Another study suggested that the loss of recess played a role in children and their weight.
It appears that the origins of obesity are many, start earlier than anyone realized and some are ones parents can control—and help their child stay at a healthy weight. Each study which identifies a potential source of obesity then has to be confirmed by others. However, potential sources are exactly what we need to know more about. To date, all of the causes identified don’t require medications or extraordinary behavior changes to help kids stay at healthy weights.
The excerpt from the study below shows another reason for parental awareness. An obese child is more likely to be bullied, which cannot help but influence the child’s emotional development.
“Obese kids are 63 percent more likely to be bullied than their average-weight classmates, according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics. Researchers looked at 821 kids in third, fifth, and sixth grades living across the U.S. and found that parents and teachers were more likely to report bullying than the children being bullied, HealthDay reports. While 25 percent of study kids reported being bullied, teachers said 34 percent had been. Mothers put the number even higher at 45 percent. University of Michigan researcher and study author Julie Lumeng says parents and pediatricians need to be on alert if caring for an overweight child, since bullying may be difficult for kids to bring up, HealthDay reports.” (Emphasis added)
Source: U.S. News and World Report, May 4, 2010
Citation: Pediatrics,Vol. 113 No. 5 May 2004, pp. 1187-1194
