Abstract
The global epidemic of childhood and adolescent overweight has become a major public health concern. Not only are these youth more likely to become obese adults, and thus more prone to obesity-related diseases than their non overweight peers, they are also likely to suffer emotional and social effects associated with overweight. Overweight in youth has been linked to depression, low self-esteem, eating disorders, negative body image, and stigma. It appears to be bi-directional in nature, with overweight sometimes predicting certain psychological effects and psychosocial issues sometimes predicting overweight. Effective assessment and treatment of psychological and mental health issues in overweight youth will help overweight youth deal more effectively with their social and psychological milieus. Additionally, interventions for mental health concerns may have the added health benefit of increasing weight loss, thus decreasing obesity-related disease for which the overweight adolescent is prone.
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
2010
Repository Citation
McClanahan, Kimberly K.; Huff, Marlene B.; and Omar, Hatim A., "A Policy and Intervention for Overweight Children and Adolescents" (2010). Pediatrics Faculty Publications. 114.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/pediatrics_facpub/114
Notes/Citation Information
Published in Rural Child Health: International Aspects. Erica Bell, & Joav Merrick (Eds.). p. 59-67.
© 2010 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
The copyright holder has granted permission for posting the chapter here.
Reprinted as a book chapter in Child Health and Human Development Yearbook - 2008. Joav Merrick, (Ed.). p. 463-473.
Reprinted as an article in International Journal of Child Health and Human Development, v. 1, issue 4, p. 377-384.