Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
09:36
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Childhood obesity: a societal problem to solve
1Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8205, USA. marlene.schwartz@yale.edu
Summary
Childhood obesity prevention and treatment unfairly burden families. Societal factors like food marketing and stigma complicate efforts, necessitating a societal shift in responsibility.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Childhood obesity is often viewed as an individual/family responsibility, ignoring societal influences.
- Overweight children face significant social stigma and environmental pressures promoting unhealthy eating.
- Parents struggle with conflicting advice and powerful marketing targeting children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively examine challenges faced by obese children and their families.
- To document the extent of stigmatization experienced by overweight children.
- To review evidence on parental guidance for healthy eating amidst learned preferences.
Main Methods:
- Literature synthesis across multiple disciplines.
- Examination of societal stigmatization of overweight children.
- Review of evidence on parental strategies for healthy eating.
Main Results:
- Societal stigmatization of overweight children is extensive.
- Conflicting advice complicates parental efforts to promote healthy eating.
- Environmental factors and learned preferences present significant challenges.
Conclusions:
- Current approaches place undue responsibility on families for childhood obesity.
- A societal shift is needed to address the root causes of childhood obesity.
- Rethinking societal roles in the etiology, treatment, and prevention of childhood obesity is crucial.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Nature and Nurture
Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...
01:24Obesity
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
01:26Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
01:23Binge Eating Disorders
Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group effort.