What are the social and psychological effects of obesity?

What are the social and psychological effects of obesity?

Numerous studies have demonstrated a positive association between obesity and various mental health issues, including depression, eating disorders, anxiety, and substance abuse. Obesity impacts individuals’ quality of life, with many sufferers experiencing increased stigma and discrimination because of their weight.

What are the physical and social consequences associated with childhood obesity?

It’s particularly troubling because the extra pounds often start children on the path to health problems that were once considered adult problems — diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Childhood obesity can also lead to poor self-esteem and depression.

What are the psychological consequences of childhood obesity?

Childhood obesity can lead to sleeping disorders, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Obesity can make it harder for kids to participate in activities, and even chores may become dreadful. Kids also become a target for bullying.

What does research say about the physical and psychological problems of obesity in childhood now?

Findings established childhood OW/OBy was negatively associated with psychological comorbidities, such as depression, poorer perceived lower scores on health-related quality of life, emotional and behavioral disorders, and self-esteem during childhood.

What are the physiological effects of obesity?

Excess weight, especially obesity, diminishes almost every aspect of health, from reproductive and respiratory function to memory and mood. Obesity increases the risk of several debilitating, and deadly diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers.

What are the psychological causes of obesity?

Psychological Factors In Obesity

• avoidance of emotions.
• low self-worth.
• poor body image.
• self-criticism.
• negative core beliefs.
• binge eating.

Does obesity affect social life?

Further, apart from the physical intimacy, obesity may also affect the social life, as overweight or obese people are more prone to being bullied, humiliated or ostracised. They are also more likely to engage in bullying behaviour. The fear of bullying may also lead them to exercise less and stay indoors.

What is a psychological effect of being obese during adolescence?

Along with obesity-related disease states, overweight adolescents are also likely to suffer from some psychosocial effects of overweight, such as depression, low self-esteem, eating disorders, negative body image, and stigmatization from peers, thus increasing the probability of obesity-related mental health co- …

How does obesity cause mental health problems?

People who are obese may find it difficult to participate in positive activities, which can make it harder to cope with negative emotions. Additionally, obesity is linked to having more physical health problems and pain, which can increase stress.

Is obesity a physiological condition?

Today we know that obesity is an altered physiologic state. Obesity researchers know that obesity results from the effects of environmental triggers on genetically susceptible individuals.

What are the social factors of obesity?

Risk factors such as living alone, poverty, low level of education and unemployment have all been linked to increased rates of obesity.

Is obesity a psychological disorder?

The American Psychiatric Association has never regarded overeating or excess weight as a psychiatric disorder, and most obese people do not qualify for a psychiatric diagnosis. Accordingly, most studies do not find a clear association between mental health and weight.

What are the causes and effects of childhood obesity?

But the main cause of childhood obesity is a combination of eating too much and exercising too little. A poor diet containing high levels of fat or sugar and few nutrients can cause kids to gain weight quickly. Fast food, candy, and soft drinks are common culprits.

How does obesity affect society?

The High Cost of Excess Weight No less real are the social and emotional effects of obesity, including discrimination, lower wages, lower quality of life and a likely susceptibility to depression.

What are the psychological effect of obesity?

Obesity has several psychological consequences, including depression, emotional and behavioral disorders, low self-esteem, motivational disorders, eating disorders, impaired body image and low quality of life. Medicine is used to treat obesity; however, it alone is inefficient in many cases.

How does obesity affect children’s self-esteem?

But in general, if your child is obese, he is more likely to have low self-esteem than his thinner peers. His weak self-esteem can translate into feelings of shame about his body, and his lack of self-confidence can lead to poorer academic performance at school.

What are the emotional effects of obesity?

Besides physical consequences, obesity has negative psychological effects, thereby lowering human life quality. Major psychological consequences of this disorder includes depression, impaired body image, low self-esteem, eating disorders, stress and poor quality of life, which are correlated with age and gender.

Is obesity a personal or social problem?

Childhood obesity is becoming much more common. The most recent Health Survey for England found that 22-31% of 6 to 15 year olds were overweight and 10-17% were obese.