Obesity and Eating Disorders in Children, Research Paper Example

Obesity is measured using the body mass index (BMI) and is based on height, age, and sex. The goal of the measurement is to compare the results to established BMI results for average people with the same characteristics. If a person is considered to be overweight, he or she is above the 85^th percentile and below the 95^th percentile of his or her classification. If a person is considered to be obese, he or she is above the 95^th percentile of his or her classification. Furthermore, those children that are considered to be overweight or obese are more common to have eating disorders (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). Therefore, this is a serious disorder for children to have. Thus, the purpose of this report is to discuss the prevalence of obesity and eating disorders in children, the causes of obesity and eating disorders in children, the consequences of obesity and eating disorders in children, treatment of obesity and eating orders in children, and prevention of obesity and eating disorders in children.

Prevalence of Obesity and Eating Disorders in Children

There is a high prevalence of obesity and eating disorders in children. According to one study, it is suggested that obesity and eating disorders are correlated, are not distinct from one another, and can occur simultaneously (Haines & Neumark-Sztainer, 2006). This study also noted that obesity and eating disorders in children have “increased steadily over the past decade” (Haines & Neumark-Sztainer, 2006). Another study shows that “one in five children in the US is overweight (17%)” (Obesity Society, 2014). The same study suggests that being overweight is higher in particular ethnic groups, such as Hispanic, African American, Mexican Americans, and Native Americans (Obesity Society, 2014). When considering the increase in media options and peer pressure, this is unsurprising. Even cartoons targeted at children as young as 5 years old typically display women with small bodies, suggesting that all people should have the same body shape. Therefore, eating disorders are a serious concern for these children. However, evidence suggests that the rate of eating disorders, such as “anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder,” is much lower than the rate of obesity” (Haines & Neumark-Sztainer, 2006). Significantly, it is noted that “overweight adolescents are more likely than their non-overweight peers to engage in unhealthy weight control behaviors, such as diet pill use, vomiting and laxative use” (Haines & Neumark-Sztainer, 2006). This was an exceedingly alarming discovery because it has been found “that the odds of being obese as a child was three times higher among individuals with bulimia as compared with healthy controls” (Haines & Neumark-Sztainer, 2006). Therefore, it can be concluded that there is a strong likelihood that obese children will develop eating disorders.

Causes of Obesity and Eating Disorders in Children

One study suggests that “dieting, media use, body image dissatisfaction and weight-related teasing may have relevance for the development of the spectrum of weight-related disorders” (Haines & Neumark-Sztainer, 2006). One of the most alarming causes is through dieting. It is noted that “prevalence estimates for dieting among children aged 6–11 range from 20 to 56% for girls and from 31 to 39% for boys” (Haines & Neumark-Sztainer, 2006). Therefore, these statistics suggest that dieting is a strong cause for obesity, leading to many eating disorders.

Media has an influence on obesity and eating disorders. In fact, research evidence shows that “television has been proposed to contribute to obesity through two main mechanisms: by reducing energy expenditure due to displacement of physical activities and by increasing dietary intake during viewing or as a result of food advertising” (Haines & Neumark-Sztainer, 2006). Thus, food advertising is a major contributor to obesity and eating disorders.

Consequences of Obesity and Eating Disorders in Children

Statistical data shows that anorexia nervosa “has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness – it is estimated that 10% of individuals with anorexia nervosa will die within 10 years of the onset of the disorder” (National Eating Disorder Information Centre, 2014). It is also noted that “childhood overweight is regarded as the most common prevalent nutritional disorder of US children and adolescents, and one of the most common problems seen by pediatricians,” leading to a multitude of health problems (Obesity Society, 2014).

The consequences of obesity and eating disorders in children are both psychological and physical. For instance, psychologically, these children may suffer from “depression, poor body image, low self-concept, are at risk for eating disorders, and have behavior and learning problems” (Obesity Society, 2014). Furthermore, the physical consequences of obesity and eating disorders are enormous. These consequences include “insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, asthma, hypertension, high total and LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, low HDL cholesterol levels, sleep apnea, early puberty, orthopedic problems, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, stroke, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and some cancers” (Obesity Society, 2014). These children commonly suffer from adulthood obesity as well (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012; Haines & Neumark-Sztainer, 2006; Obesity Society, 2014).

Treatment and Prevention of Obesity and Eating Disorders in Children

There have been experimental interventions to treat both obesity and eating disorders in children simultaneously. These include “education sessions promoting healthy dietary behaviors (i.e. eating a balanced diet, eating regular meals)” (Haines & Neumark-Sztainer, 2006). It is suggested that an integrated approach be utilized in order to prevent the prevalence of obesity and eating disorders. One of the most important aspects of this approach is the “identification of risk factors” (Haines & Neumark-Sztainer, 2006). It is highly suggested that interventions like the ones described above can prevent future obesity and eating disorder issues (Haines & Neumark-Sztainer, 2006). Another crucial intervention involves “changing peer and family norms,” suggesting that these groups are the most impactful on children (Haines & Neumark-Sztainer, 2006). It is also advised that the best interventions are designed to “teach healthy alternatives to dieting” (Haines & Neumark-Sztainer, 2006).

Conclusion

Obesity and eating disorders are a major problem for children. To begin with, obesity is measured through BMI and is based on height, age, and sex. This result is compared to average people with the same physical characteristics and age. Being overweight is classified as being between the 85^th and 95^th percentile. Being obese is classified as being over the 95^th percentile. These children often have eating disorders. Therefore, it is concluded that there is a correlation between obesity and eating disorders, allowing them to occur simultaneously. The rate of obesity and eating disorders in children is consistently increasing, noted by the assertion that one in five children is overweight. However, those children that are Hispanic, African American, Mexican American, or Native American have a higher incidence of these issues.

A major cause of obesity and eating disorders is peer and family pressure. Peer pressure can come in the form of media. Therefore, the increase in obesity and eating disorder incidences is unsurprising considering the increase in media options and the establishment of social media. Thus, overweight children are more likely to participate in unhealthy alternatives to weight loss. Other causes include dieting, body image issues, and teasing. Therefore, when children are suffering from peer and family pressure and teasing, they may be more likely to develop eating disorders. However, the rate is much higher for girls than for boys.

The consequences of obesity and eating disorders are serious. Death can occur in some cases, particularly for those children with anorexia nervosa. Other consequences include mental and physical conditions as the result of obesity and eating disorders. These include depression, body image issues, low self-esteem, learning and behavior problems, cardiovascular problems, breathing problems, stroke, and cancer.

The treatment of obesity and eating disorders has been experimental interventions. This is because the goal of these interventions is to treat obesity and eating disorder simultaneously. As a result, these interventions commonly include healthy diet education information sessions, the identification of risk factors of obesity and eating disorders, and changing behaviors of family and peers. Ultimately, it is crucial that there is a supportive environment for the child. Furthermore, the child must be taught healthy alternatives in order to lose weight safely. This can be done through interventions, as well as provide the tools necessary to grow into a healthy adult.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Obesity and Overweight for Professionals: Childhood. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/basics.html

Haines, J., & Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2006). Prevention of obesity and eating disorders: a consideration of shared risk factors. Health Education Research, 21(6), 770–82. http://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyl094

National Eating Disorder Information Centre. (2014). Statistics: Understanding Statistics on Eating Disorders. Retrieved from http://www.nedic.ca/know-facts/statistics

Obesity Society. (2014). Childhood Overweight. Retrieved from http://www.obesity.org/resources-for/childhood-overweight.htm