Overweight Kids Miss More School
Help Your Obese Child Lose Weight, Fit In, & Enjoy Life!
Aug 13, 2007
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and Templeton University found that overweight children are more likely to skip school than normal-weight peers. They found that body mass index (BMI) is as strong a predictor of absenteeism as race, age, socioeconomic status and gender – formerly the four main predictors of absenteeism. An obese childhood could predict other negative consequences.
Overweight kids miss more school because of bullying
Obese children aren't missing school because of health or weight-related issues. The high rate of absenteeism in obese kids is due to bullying and stigma from their classmates. This is a damaging - but understandable - side effect of being an overweight child.
The psychological and physical consequences of being overweight are still being revealed – and school absenteeism is just newly being researched. This study is the first of its kind, and it predicts negative consequences for obese children.
Overweight kids miss more school & face negative future consequences
Missing school doesn't just affect a child's current academic and social involvement; it can set kids up for future problems – whether they're obese children or of normal weight.
"The disadvantages that arise from missing school such as increased drug use, increased rates of pregnancy and poor academic performance have been previously documented. Meanwhile, the rate of childhood obesity has tripled in the United States during the past 25 years." (Science Daily)
It's natural for obese children to feel the stigma of their weight; even adults mock other adults for carrying a few extra pounds. Children are more likely to taunt, tease, or torture their overweight classmates.
Helping your overweight child lose weight
To counteract the detrimental effects of obese children missing school, there are several ways you can help your child lose weight and feel comfortable going to school.
- Join your child in playing outdoor games, trying new activities, or simply going for a walk or bike ride.
- Keep healthy snacks on hand all the time; don't buy unhealthy, calorie-heavy foods.
- Serve smaller portions at mealtimes.
- Don't focus on appearance, body mass index, weight loss, obese childhoods or future problems (either yours or your child's).
- Avoid fast food or prepackaged frozen foods. Buy a variety of fresh, nutritious fruits and veggies.
- Figure out why your child is obese. Is it lack of exercise, poor eating habits, genetics, unexpressed emotions – or a combination of all four?
- Consider enlisting the help of a school counselor or therapist.
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