Obesity can adversely affect school activities and children's coping skills

FRIDAY, Nov. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) – A preliminary study suggests that obese children may have additional difficulties with school work and coping with stress.

In a survey of nearly 23,000 parents, the researchers found that obese children were less likely to exhibit certain "blooming" indicators compared to their normal weight peers.

This meant less commitment to schoolwork and learning, and more difficulty coping with difficult situations.

The findings do not necessarily prove that childhood obesity feeds these problems, researchers said.

But they add to the evidence of the possible "psychosocial" effects of obesity, said Dr. Christopher Bolling, chairman of the obesity department of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

"Studies have shown that obese people tend to report a lower quality of life, cope with greater social stigma and higher rates of depression," said Bolling, who n & # 39; 39, did not participate in the new research.

It is not surprising, Bolling added, that obese children in this study do not flourish as much as their peers.

However, "none of this means that people have to lose weight to be happy," he said.

In fact, said Bolling, when obese children face social stigma and other emotional difficulties, it says a lot about our society.

Dr. Natasha Gill, of Brown University and Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, RI, led the study.

She said that when there is talk of obesity in children, attention is often focused on the potential effects on long-term physical health – such as asthma and diabetes of type 2. But, she added, obesity can also have "an immediate impact" on the well-being of children.

In this case, Gill and his team focused on five specific markers of "flourishing". They interviewed 22,914 parents and caretakers aged 10 to 17, asking them if their child:

• "Shows interest and curiosity to learn new things"
• "Work to complete the tasks that he begins"
• "Stay calm and stay in control of a challenge,"
• "Care to succeed in school"
• "Do all the homework required."

Overall, nearly 28% of obese children would be the five achievement markers – compared to 39% of normal weight children and 37% of overweight children.

According to Gill, obese children tend to spend more time on digital media and sleep less. But even when researchers took into account these differences – as well as family poverty and parental education – obesity itself was always linked to lower chances of flourishing.

"There is a clear negative relationship between obesity and the markers of fulfillment," Gill said. But, she noted, "it's hard to know who came first."

Bolling agreed that there was a question "chicken and egg". For example, children who are ostracized or disengaged at school may gain more weight.

Gill was due to present his findings Saturday at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics, in Orlando, Florida. In general, studies published at meetings are considered preliminary until they are published in a peer-reviewed journal.

For now, Gill and Bolling have advised adults to know that obese children can face more challenges in school and with coping skills.

"Children are showing their stress in different ways," Bolling said. "This can result in physical symptoms, relationship difficulties, or poor academic performance."

Gill suggested that parents sit down regularly with their children just to have conversations and check how they are doing.

She said research shows that flourishing markers appear to be similar to personality traits: they stay the same over time. So, if the kids do not develop them, Gill says, it could affect them up to adulthood.

More information

The American Academy of Pediatrics has more on obesity in children.