Obese Children Targeted By Bullies
Written by Jane Tucker | Friday, 14 May 2010 | There are 0 comments
significantly more likely to be picked on by bullies in the playground. 
A new study done by researchers at the University of Michigan shows that the dangers of obesity to children is not purely in that they are more likely to suffer from obesity related disease but that they are also significantly more likely to be picked on by bullies in the playground.
Professor Julie C. Lumeng along with her team of researchers looked at over 800 children of which 17% were obese and 15% were overweight. They correlated data about whether the children were bullied from the mother of the child, the child and also a teacher at their schools.
From their results they observed that there was a statistically significant link between obesity and being bullied even after they took into consideration other factors such as such as ethnicity, a family income to needs ratio, their grade level, the child’s social skills [as reported by mother and teacher] and overall academic achievement.
The researchers quantified the increased likelihood of children being bullied because they were obese after taking in all variables as being 1:1.63. They said that it was important that people knew that obese children were at a greater risk of being bullied so that they could be looked out for by teachers and parents. This research also highlights yet again another detrimental aspect of childhood obesity on the psychological development of children which sometimes stays with them in adulthood.
At Ukmedix News we have published loads of research which identifies the psychological damage that obesity does not only to children but also adults. Unfortunately there is an extremely negative subconscious perception of obesity in most people which makes them appear as lazy and less intelligent than their normal weight peers. This constant stereotyping can be extremely bad for self esteem and is largely responsible for the higher rates of depression seen in obese individuals.
If you have obese children talk to them about bullying and make sure they are not being bullied at school or at home.
