Childhood obesity and self-esteem issues?

**PaulaJo** · 07-01-2007, 06:00 PM

At the present time we don't have any way to look things up in the archives on this bb. You just have to go to the bottom of the page and keeping hitting 'more' until you find the thread.

**circl8r** · 07-01-2007, 06:00 PM

Thanks PaulaJo, I appreciate your response. The question was in today's Nursing Spectrum paper, and I thought it was thought provoking. I will look through all of the posts.

Donna

**circl8r** · 07-02-2007, 01:23 PM

I was looking for a thread asking if using the term obese will effect a child's self esteem? Thanks!

**CrankyChrissy** · 07-02-2007, 06:00 PM

Thought provoking?

How 'bout Fatty, Fatty two by four, can't get through the bathroom door? Geez!

**OBNurseJeanne** · 07-02-2007, 06:00 PM

Look for posts from Pammer--Pam Merideth, RN. It was a survey question a couple of weeks ago.

**PaulaJo** · 07-03-2007, 06:00 PM

Don't be silly CC. We were talking about whether to be frank with the parents and child or pussyfooting around the fact that the child is obese.

**OBNurseJeanne** · 07-04-2007, 06:00 PM

Well, Chrissy is right. While doctor's and parents pussyfoot around the word obese the kid is getting a double helping of "Fatty, fatty, two by four" and worse at school. Their self esteem is already shot.

**CrankyChrissy** · 07-04-2007, 06:00 PM

Exactly my point, OBNurse! Thanks!

**PaulaJo** · 07-04-2007, 06:00 PM

That's true.

**poliopilot** · 07-04-2007, 06:00 PM

Not only that, most kids expect their parents to "fix" things. However, when parents are trying to help their kids solve their obesity problems, they should also be aware that kids, being playground predators, will pick on other kids about anything, often just to keep the bullies off their own backs. The best weapon against that a parent can give his or her kids is a good, reality-based reason to feel comfortable in their own skin, no matter what their appearance. Not an easy job.

**Edson!** · 07-04-2007, 06:00 PM

Self esteem is an issue in childhood and adolescence no matter what. I had to be one of the skinniest, puniest kids even through to the latter part of 11th grade. Honestly, it was tough to be a relative, boobless stick figure in high school. Later I was glad that I hadn't blossomed as early as many others.

The real issue IMO should be about getting to the bottom line with why the kids are in one unhealthy state or another--physically, psychologically, etc. The physical component for obese kids in our country is clearly diet and exercise. No one wants to do real recess with kids anymore for a number of reasons. No one is home when they get home. And God forbid someone actually teach their kids how to cook from scratch. I've determined that my last two will know how to cook, even if they don't have the passion for it that some of us have. Of course no one wants to cook every day, b/c real cooking is very time consuming. But there are other things they can learn to eat. Why is it that people think they have to eat meat every day for example. That's just a bunch of brainwashing nonsense. And you certainly don't have to have meat at every meal. But I'm telling you, America kids are so lazy, they can't be bothered prepping, cleaning vegetables and making a salad.

The other issue is that a lot of kids don't have balance and structure, so, they eat out of boredom--and it's so easy to do while playing an idiotic video game or watching a movie.

Back to my earlier point...there will always be something that will cause insecurity to rear its ugly head for all of us in one way or another--but this is especially so for emotionally labile kids. Intrinsic values have to be built up so that the kid develops the character to withstand the nonsense of bullies--those that are the truly insecure, self-loathing people in the world.