| Emotional abuse for overweight or obese children can | | | | changing. Add being overweight to this mix and it is |
| come in different forms and often will cause lasting | | | | only natural that this will be a frustrating time. It is |
| effects into adulthood. Here are some of the things | | | | hard for kids to visualize their life being different ... |
| to be on the lookout for as far as how your child | | | | either getting through the tough growing up years or |
| might be hurting. | | | | losing enough weight so they don't stand out so. |
| 1. Isolation - An overweight child will often be | | | | Any or all of these can have devastating effects on |
| excluded from social events or outings. While her | | | | the overweight child making it paramount that she |
| peers may be talking about boys and their dates for | | | | have a strong support system at home. Make sure |
| the upcoming weekend, your daughter will feel | | | | that your child feels that Home is a safe haven, a |
| excluded from the conversations because she isn't | | | | place where no one teases or makes negative |
| dating or might even not be invited to an outing of | | | | comments about her weight. |
| just girls. | | | | Make sure that she knows you are there to help, |
| 2. Nose-diving grades - The emotional effect of being | | | | NOT to judge. Rather than just telling her what she |
| bullied or just feeling left out often will manifest itself | | | | should do or what she should eat, get her involved in |
| in falling grades. Worry and anxiety can produce | | | | the decision-making process. Let her have some input |
| exhaustion which result in unfinished schoolwork or | | | | on what groceries are bought and what healthy |
| the inability to concentrate. Grades start slipping | | | | meals are prepared. Let her choose what activities to |
| which causes self-confidence to dwindle which then | | | | get involved in. |
| leads to believing that she is incapable of making | | | | Give guidance but let her start making some healthy |
| good grades. It has a nasty spiralling effect which can | | | | decisions that will have a positive impact on her life. |
| be difficult to get free from. | | | | And although it may be hard at times on those days |
| 3. Low self-esteem - All children go through periods | | | | when she is feeling particularly down, never punish |
| of doubt while they are trying to find themselves | | | | for the occasional slip-up. Help her get back on track |
| and this is particularly difficult during the adolescent | | | | and finish the course you have helped her plan for |
| years when hormones are raging and bodies are | | | | herself. |