Obese children are less likely to ‘flourish’

Obese children are less likely to ‘flourish’ at school: Study finds ‘they often do not finish homework or care about lessons’

• Just 27.5% of obese children in the study met all five ‘flourishing’ markers  
• May affect their ability to ‘develop healthy relationships’ as adults
• Could also impact their ‘sense of purpose and responsibility’ in later life  

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Obese children are less likely to ‘flourish’ at school, research suggests.

Youngsters carrying dangerous amounts of weight fail to meet the five markers of flourishing compared to those who are a healthy size or overweight. 

These markers include not finishing their homework, having a disinterest in how well they do in school and failing to complete tasks they have started.

This may affect their ability to ‘develop healthy relationships, positive attitudes, a sense of purpose and responsibility’ as adults, according to researchers.

Youngsters carrying dangerous amounts of weight fail to meet the five markers of flourishing compared to those who are a healthy size or overweight

Lead author Dr Natasha Gill, of Brown University in Rhode Island, said: ‘Childhood obesity is one of the biggest public health challenges we face today.

‘We know that children with obesity are at a greater risk  for long-term health conditions that can last into adulthood.

‘And we wanted to see whether obesity affects a child’s immediate wellbeing as it relates to development of psychosocial skills and other signs of flourishing.’ 

The researchers therefore analysed 22,914 parents and caregivers of children aged between 10 and 17 who took part in the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health. 

Flourishing is a rather new term that refers to a child’s overall well-being, learning and resilience. 

The parents were asked about their child’s BMI, as well as whether he or she does the following five markers of flourishing:

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• Shows interest and curiosity in learning new things
• Works to finish tasks he or she starts 
• Stays calm and in control when faced with a challenge
• Cares about doing well in school
• Does all required homework    

Factors such as age, sex, a depression diagnosis, hours of sleep, screen time and parental education were taken into account.

Results showed that 27.5 per cent of obese children, defined as having a BMI in the 95th percentile, had all five markers of flourishing.

In contrast, 36.5 per cent of overweight children, with a BMI in the 85th percentile, had all five markers, as did 39 per cent of kids with a normal BMI. 

The researchers did not state why obese children are less likely to flourish than their skinnier peers.

However, past studies suggest overweight youngsters are more likely to be bullied by their peers and may even be deemed less ‘academically competent’ by teachers, which may make them unmotivated to work hard.

Dr Gill and her colleagues presented the findings of the study at the American Academy of Pediatrics conference in Orlando. 

‘The negative relationship between obesity and flourishing markers suggests that when compared to children with a normal BMI, obese youth may be less likely to develop healthy relationships, positive attitudes, a sense of purpose and responsibility, and interest in learning,’ Dr Gill said.

‘Individual markers of flourishing have been shown to stay the same over time like a person’s personality so it may be important to monitor these markers in childhood to ensure optimal development into adulthood.’

Dr Gill adds intervening early may help obese children to thrive.

‘Now that we know childhood obesity is linked with poor coping skills and school performance, the time to act is now,’ she told Reuters.

‘We want all children to reach their maximum potential.

‘We can promote positive physical, mental, and social development for these at-risk children and help them become responsible, hard-working members of society.’

Dr Gill also worries obese children may be more likely to take part in ‘risk-taking behaviours’.

‘Just like increased exposure to adverse childhood events has been associated with negative outcomes, new studies suggest that youth who display less positive attitudes are more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors and avoid health-enhancing behaviors,’ she said. 

The researchers add the study demonstrates the need for both schools and healthcare providers to try and target obesity in order to improve the wellbeing of young people with the condition.

In the US, nearly one in five school-age children have obesity, while as many as one in five in the UK enter education with the condition.

Rather than looking at their BMI, childhood obesity is defined as being in the 95th percentile. 

Percentiles compare youngsters to others their same age. For example, if a three-month-old is in the 40th percentile for weight, that means that 40 per cent of three-month-olds weigh the same or less than that baby. 

Among children, research suggests that 70 per cent of obese youngsters have high blood pressure or raised cholesterol, which puts them at risk of heart disease.

Obese children are also significantly more likely to become obese adults. And if children are overweight, their obesity in adulthood is often more severe.  

WHAT IS OBESITY? AND WHAT ARE ITS HEALTH RISKS?

Obesity is defined as an adult having a BMI of 30 or over.

A healthy person’s BMI – calculated by dividing weight in kg by height in metres, and the answer by the height again – is between 18.5 and 24.9. 

Among children, obesity is defined as being in the 95th percentile.

Percentiles compare youngsters to others their same age. 

For example, if a three-month-old is in the 40th percentile for weight, that means that 40 per cent of three-month-olds weigh the same or less than that baby.

Around 58 per cent of women and 68 per cent of men in the UK are overweight or obese. 

The condition costs the NHS around £6.1billion, out of its approximate £124.7 billion budget, every year.

This is due to obesity increasing a person’s risk of a number of life-threatening conditions.

Such conditions include type 2 diabetes, which can cause kidney disease, blindness and even limb amputations.

Research suggests that at least one in six hospital beds in the UK are taken up by a diabetes patient.

Obesity also raises the risk of heart disease, which kills 315,000 people every year in the UK – making it the number one cause of death.

Carrying dangerous amounts of weight has also been linked to 12 different cancers. 

This includes breast, which affects one in eight women at some point in their lives.

Among children, research suggests that 70 per cent of obese youngsters have high blood pressure or raised cholesterol, which puts them at risk of heart disease.

Obese children are also significantly more likely to become obese adults. 

And if children are overweight, their obesity in adulthood is often more severe.  

As many as one in five children start school in the UK being overweight or obese, which rises to one in three by the time they turn 10.  

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