Psychosocial Effects of Childhood Obesity

Abstract

Obesity prevalence is on the rise in both the developed and the developing countries. Obesity tendecy is at an alarming level and is the cause of various physiological and pychological complications, especially in children and adolescents. With the sharp rise of a worldwide thought its effects on the physical health have gained more attention while its psychosocial effects have been neglected. However, it is thought that obesity’s psychosocial effects are far more common than the physiological effects. Obese children and adolescents have various phycological and social problems like, low self-esteem, depression, eating disorders, body dissatisfaction, decreased quality of life and poor social relationships. All things considered, team oriented approach for the treatment of obesity will be more effective than a single opinion approach. In this review, psychosocial effects of childhood obesity were discussed through various publications.