How to Get Help for Overweight Kids through Child Psychology

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How to Get Help for Overweight Kids through Child Psychology

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are more than three times the amount of obese children than there were 30 years ago. As of 2008,

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are more than three times the amount of obese children now than there were 30 years ago. As of 2008, 19.6 percent of children six to 11 years old are considered obese, which is slightly more than the 18.1 percent of obese adolescents and young adults. The CDC goes as far as to predict that one out of every three children, born in 2000, will be diagnosed with diabetes during his or her lifetime.

Turning to Child Psychology

Are fattening school lunches and video games to blame for overweight children? Are schools not putting enough emphasis on gym or physical fitness? Or are parents simply handing down their unlucky genetics and poor eating habits to their children?

While these factors may all play a part in the problem, adults must dig even deeper into child psychology to fully understand the issue. Children may be inheriting their parent's genetics, but they are not doing anything to improve their health, even when they hit an age where they know how to do so. At this point, parents may need to turn to a professional trained in child psychology for help.

How a Child Psychology Professional Can Help

While it's obvious that childhood obesity can affect a child's future health, some overlook the emotional effects of obesity. A study in 2000, conducted by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, helped to shed some light on how childhood obesity really affects kids.

After testing over 1,500 nine and 10-year-olds, the study concluded that overweight children suffered from much lower self-esteem than children of a normal weight. These children reported their self-esteem decreasing with age and also reported feelings of loneliness, depression and anxiety, as well as higher instances of teen smoking and alcohol abuse.

A professional trained in child psychology can help to re-establish a child's self-esteem and get he or she on the right path. Many times, obese children continue down an unhealthy path mainly because of their low self-esteem. Instead of seeking comfort in their parents, teachers or peers, these children are finding comfort in food. Child psychologists can help children discover their self-worth and rebuild their confidence.

Child psychologists are also trained to teach kids more effective ways to cope with their feelings and avoid turning to food. These professionals help children achieve a healthier body image, which is imperative to a child's future self-esteem. The praise and reassurance of a psychologist can sometimes even be more effective than that of a parent, especially during the years where children begin to assert their independence.

A child psychologist may be key to helping children figure out healthier ways to live. These professionals often help children set attainable goals, which helps them regain confidence in their abilities, while slowly working towards a healthier body. By working together, parents and child psychologists can help decrease the number of obese children, one kid at a time.

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