Obesity: An Inner Battle for Kids

Being a child in the 21st century is hard enough. Expectations are so high, and children face a constant battle to meet them. They are constantly trying to be in style and thus accepted. Children are always working to emulate their favorite actors or singers. They are continually trying to be perfect just like their Hollywood idols. These stars are physically perfect and to many kids, this perfection equals happiness. The skinnier a child is the happier he or she is. Truly, children who are both average or below average weight are happy and accepted by their peers. A relationship between weight loss and increased happiness truly exist. On the other hand, children who are obese do not experience this happiness. 1 in 7 children suffer from obesity. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that obese children have an increased likelihood of being unhappy and even depressed. These children feel that their quality of life is very poor. Sadly, some obese children rated their quality of life at the same level as children who were suffering from cancer. Parents truly must step in and help their children both physically and emotionally. No child deserves to carry these feelings.

http://health.yahoo.com/ate/drgreene/alldaily/2003/04/00020656