A new report that studied over 1,000 children has found that those who are obese may suffer from poorer mental health than their peers, according to The Province.
These issues had a wide range of consequences, from mental to emotional.
1/3 of children who were normal weight were found to have sleeping problems, while 48 percent of overweight youngsters had the problem. Headaches were another common discomfort for obese kids, affecting 43 percent of the group.
Overweight children even appeared to be more prone to anger and fighting than their peers.
"There are some good data out there that show connections between stress and being overweight," Kathryn Henderson, a clinical psychologist, told the news provider.
One of the other noticeable trends was that obese children generally resorted to eating when they felt overwhelmed, while other kids tried to manage their stress with sports. However, both groups had one thing in common – they were prone to a sedentary lifestyle in front of a screen.
Parents may want to encourage children to go outdoors by participating in fun activities with them. A leisurely bike ride or hike can make for a fun day for the whole family, according to FamilyEducation.com.
Source:drcutler
