World Obesity Day: A Child Psychiatrist’s Perspective
- Dr Megha Desai Shah
- Mar 4
- 3 min read
Dr Megha Desai Shah, Consultant Child and Adolescent Mental Health Expert, Ahmedabad
Childhood obesity is a growing concern among the Indian population. We all have heard and know that being overweight or obese comes with a range of health concerns. Along with the negative physical impact, it also has a significant impact on mental health.
But what are we doing to prevent our children being affected by it? Are we aware enough to prevent it? Let’s take a brief look at the current data and understand obesity’s deeper impact on mental health, how they are interconnected and how we can manage it, as well as prevent it.
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) there are nearly 3.4% (2019-2021) of children under five years old classified as overweight, which was 2.1% in 2015-2016 indicating a substantial public health issue in the young population.
Tendency of Indian children to be overweight is projected to increase to 17.5% by 2030. More than 14.4 million children are obese in our country which is second highest in the world.
These data are alarming enough for all of us as parents, medical professionals, educators, and as a society to come together and work towards prevention. Childhood obesity will have a larger impact on their future like physical health issues, financial burden, emotional issues etc.
THE EFFECT OF OBESITY ON CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH
Today, on World Obesity Day, it’s crucial to highlight the significant connection between mental health and childhood obesity.
Many overweight children face teasing/ bullying/ name calling and social exclusion. The emotional toll of obesity can lead to low self-esteem, negative body image, anxiety, depression, poor academic performance, difficult peer relationships and issues with social integration. These are the psychological impacts of obesity.
Let’s understand how Mental Health can be a contributing factor to obesity. There are emotional, behavioral, and environmental factors that contribute to a child’s relationship with food and their body image.
Children may turn to food for comfort when dealing with stress, anxiety, or depression leading to Emotional eating, binge eating patterns. Sometimes lack of motivation to engage in physical activity, excess screen time can also worsen obesity. Persistent sleep disturbance has also been linked to weight gain.
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS?
Parents, Educators, and Healthcare professionals must work together to create a supportive, non-judgmental environment.
Let’s teach children that health isn’t just about appearance—it’s about feeling strong, confident, and capable.
Encourage Positive body image. Foster an environment where children are valued for who they are, not how they look.
Teach healthy coping mechanisms for better emotional regulation through counselling, therapy, mindfulness practices.
Emphasis on the importance of physical activity. Replace screen time with outdoor play and sports activity from early childhood to develop a positive attitude towards physical activity.
Be a role model. By following healthy eating habits and a healthy lifestyle as a family, children will learn to follow.
Regular monitoring and evaluation by a pediatrician is a must to identify risk factors and early intervention.
Seek help from a mental health professional for your child if you find any red flags without hesitation. Remember early intervention can prevent many problems in future.
Together, we can guide children toward a healthier, happier future—physically and mentally.
The aim of this blog is to bring attention to the often overlooked psychological aspects of obesity and to promote a holistic approach in the prevention and management of obesity.
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