Risk Factors And Causes Of Childhood Obesity

Stress

The pressures of homework, getting good grades, and social interaction with peers can take its toll on a child’s sense of well-being. While these situations may be normal for most children, there are several other things children may experience that could lead to higher-than-normal stress levels. For example, children who grow up in low-income households may be more prone to becoming obese due to higher levels of anxiety. According to experts, stressors, like growing up in early-life poverty or experiencing extreme experiences in childhood such as domestic abuse, can contribute to obesity or weight problems in children as well as adults.

Exposure to pressure or anxiety during the early stages of life can have a tremendous impact on a child’s interest in physical activity, increasing their risk of becoming overweight or obese. The biological and behavioral struggles associated with anxiety could have a lifelong impact on a child’s weight, self-esteem, and overall health.

Read more about what can cause or increase the risk of childhood obesity now.