This fascinating new study reveals that overweight children are typically a bully’s prime targets. While you might not consider this “breaking news,” it is very revealing in that it shows that kids who are picked on avoid situations where they are bullied, such as gyms, playgrounds, and other sporting events. The very places children go to burn off calories.
According to the study, roughly one out of every five children is chronically bullied, and in most cases repeated teasing and taunting leads to depression and loneliness. This finding coupled with the fact that bullies drive their victims away from physical activities spells serious trouble for children’s health, according to researchers.
What’s more, experts say negative attitudes toward exercise can last a lifetime, making it more difficult for overweight children to lose weight as age. The bottom line says researchers: The more kids are bullied the more they refrain from physical activity. Which means adults need to be more aware of what’s going on with individual students to remedy the situation before it gets worse.
Experts say parents should be positive role models for their overweight children. If moms and dads encourage exercise at home they can lessen the blows the bullies inflict. Researchers say the key is to make sure overweight children are getting proper exercise whether it’s at school or at home.
In addition, researchers say schools should create a zero-tolerance culture for bullying and perhaps provide gym teachers with training on how to recognize bullying and intervene.
Finally, experts say doctors should be made aware of peer problems when treating overweight children. Researchers say it’s important for pediatricians to not only take a child’s medical history into consideration, but also his social history, so they can pinpoint the underlying problem and work on a solution.
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