Children who start school overweight 'struggle to fit in years later'
Children who are heavier than their peers when they start school are more likely to struggle in their relationships a few years later, a study says.
Researchers from the University of Adelaide, followed more than 3,300 children over four years.
They found that by the time the children were eight or nine, their parents were 15 per cent more likely to describe them as being isolated or teased. Their teachers were also 20 per cent more likely to report that they had emotional problems.
Isolation: Overweight youngsters are more likely to struggle emotionally after just a few years at school (posed)
Study leader Professor Michael Sawyer said: 'The quality of peer relationships during this period of time has the potential to have a significant impact on children's later mental health.'
The children were questioned when they were four or five and again four years later.
Questions involved measures of children's mental and behavioral health, such as emotional problems, hyperactivity and social skills. Children also had their weight and height checked at each age.
As they started school 17.5 per cent of boys and 21.2 per cent of girls were classed overweight or obese.
At ages eight and nine, parents and teachers were far more likely to be concerned about how these children interacted with their peers.
Commenting on the study, Professor Christina Calamaro from the University of Maryland, said: 'It's interesting that we're seeing these problems at an early age.
'I think this speaks to the fact that health care providers need to take weight into consideration at an earlier age, so we can cut it off at the pass before they hit middle school.'
The study authors wrote that the stigma of being overweight can translate into social struggles for these children. Larger youngsters may withdraw themselves from social activities for fear of being teased. Obese children are also more likely to be bullied.
However, the researchers did not find any differences between the heavy children and the normal weight children in their risk of mental health problems, such as hyperactivity or conduct disorders.
Professor Sawyer said he would like to continue following the children to see whether the social problems his study revealed might be precursors to later mental health problems.
Other studies have found that later in life, obesity puts adults at greater risk of developing a mental illness such as depression or anxiety.
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