How does obesity affect growth, physical health, and psychological development in children?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Overweight children develop a characteristic set of physical traits. They typically begin puberty earlier and so grow taller than their peers at first, but then they stop growing at a shorter height. They develop greater bone and muscle mass in response to the demand of having to carry more weight—both fat and lean weight. Consequently, they appear “stocky” even when they lose their excess fat.
Like overweight adults, overweight and obese children display a blood lipid profile indicating that atherosclerosis is beginning to develop—high levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol. Overweight and obese children also tend to have high blood pressure; in fact, obesity is a leading cause of pediatric hypertension. Their risks for developing type 2 diabetes and respiratory diseases (such as asthma) are also exceptionally high.
In addition to the physical consequences, childhood obesity brings a host of emotional and social problems. Because people frequently judge others on appearance more than on character, overweight and obese children are often victims of prejudice and bullying. Many suffer discrimination by adults and rejection by their peers. They may have poor self-images, a sense of failure, and a passive approach to life. Television shows, which are a major influence in children’s lives, often portray the fat person as the bumbling misfit. Overweight children may come to accept this negative stereotype in themselves and in others, which can lead to additional emotional and social problems. Researchers investigating children’s reactions to various body types find that both normal-weight and underweight children respond unfavorably to overweight bodies.