"Children can be cruel." It’s a comment often made by parents as they recount the taunts made to their child by classmates on the playground.
What the parents of some children with weight problems may not realize is that some obese children report being teased about their weight as early as age three. Even worse, some overweight children feel they receive unfair treatment from their parents and are socially ostracized by teachers and other adults.
A recent study from Yale University and the University of Hawaii at Manatoa found that children who have been made to feel self-conscious about their weight have a quality of life comparable to that experienced by cancer patients.
In addition, researchers said children who are the recipients of teasing, social rejection, bullying and other types of abuse because of their weight are more likely to report suicidal thoughts. They also suffer from health issues such as high blood pressure and eating disorders.
A childhood that indicates future health issues is a factor that worries Dr. Clay Hays, a cardiologist with Jackson Heart Clinic. “The cycle does start very early for some overweight children and unfortunately, often continues into adulthood, when more serious health problems usually begin to surface,” says Hays. “Even more disturbing is seeing [heart] patients with children who are already showing signs of obesity. I try to warn these patients to take steps now to stem this problem in their children. That way, their children will have a better chance of avoiding cardiovascular disease or other health problems they themselves are facing.”
Hays admits that even though his father Dr. James Hays is a cardiologist, he struggled with weight issues as a child. It was not until he entered college that he shed 40 pounds and began to implement exercise and healthy eating habits as part of his life.
“I was overweight as a child, so I can sympathize with the embarrassment and even the taunts that other children with weight problems experience,” he says. “In addition to my work as a cardiologist, one of my top priorities is to support organizations and causes that educate children and parents about the benefits of exercise and good nutrition.”
Hays is a board member of “Let’s Get Moving,” an area organization that stresses the importance of physical fitness in the state’s schools. The recommended amount of exercise for every child is 30 minutes a day, five days a week, he said. He is very supportive of the Mississippi Legislature’s push to place physical education teachers in as many schools as possible.
Hays’ emphasis on exercise for all ages extends to his personal life. Despite his busy schedule, he is an avid runner, competing in area races and marathons across the country. And much to the dismay of his children, ages 12 and 14, he is a self-proclaimed “exercise Nazi,” pushing family activities that include sports and other activities that keep his family physically fit.
And Hays says the road to good health doesn’t end with exercise. He cautions that children’s diets should be closely monitored to ensure they are getting the proper nutrients without the heavy load of fat and calories that is often part of school lunches and snacks.
“Many times, there is the misconception that because a food is low in fat, it is safe to eat,” Hays explains. “It’s important to cut back on fat, but equally important to read labels to make sure children are not eating too many calories each day. Sometimes large portions of even a low-fat food or beverage can be high in calories, which can lead to weight gain.”
The growing emphasis on curbing childhood obesity in Mississippi comes not a moment too soon - right in the midst of a growing worldwide epidemic of child obesity. According to projections by Yale researchers, by 2010, almost 50 percent of children in North America and 38 percent of children in the European Union will be overweight.
While the programs to prevent childhood obesity are growing, more efforts are needed to protect overweight children. “It’s so important for children to enjoy their early years, and to do that, they really need to be in the best possible physical shape,” Hays says. “As adults, it’s our job to make sure that they get the proper exercise and nutrition. The best way we can do that is to set the example by exercising with them and eating the right foods. As a result, everyone’s health and well being will be improved.”
Sylvia Rimm, author of “Rescuing the Emotional Lives of Overweight Children,” said her surveys of more than 5,000 middle school children reached the conclusion that children with weight problems suffer academically as well as emotionally. “The overweight child feels less intelligent,” Rimm said. “They felt less popular. They struggle from early on. They feel they are a different species.”
The Yale-Hawaii research report recommends more research to determine whether negative stereotypes lead to discriminatory behavior, citing evidence that overweight adults face discrimination. It also calls for studying ways to reduce stigma and negative attitudes toward overweight children. “Weight-based discrimination is as important a problem as racial discrimination or discrimination against children with physical disabilities,” the report concludes. “Remedying it needs to be taken equally seriously.”
Perhaps the best remedy is to prevent obesity and its accompanying physical and social implications in the first place, by protecting the bodies of our youngest citizens.
Kara Kimbrough is a freelance writer and syndicated food columnist. She has a passion for healthcare, having worked for some of the Mississippi’s largest hospitals. She is also a speech teacher and certified Pilates and yoga instructor.
