Difference Between Childhood Obesity and Depression

Table of Contents

What is Childhood Obesity and Depression?

Obesity and depression are diagnosed differently in children in comparison to adults. Childhood mental disease and depression is poorly recognised by parents and health practitioners.

Increased hunger, weight gain, and minimized physical activity are all symptoms of depression, and children with anxiety issues and depression are more likely to binge eat and live a sedentary life. Both depression and obesity are genetically associated, so children are sometimes obese because of their parent’s genes.

Some of the impacts caused due to childhood obesity and recurring depression include substance misuse, poor school performance and social functioning, and increased suicide risk. Suicide among obese children who are suffering which is the second leading cause of preventable death among young people.

Association between Childhood Obesity and Depression

Childhood obesity has several causes like genetic reasons, poor diet, junk food, sedentary lifestyle, hormonal imbalance etc. Obesity in childhood often results in teasing and persistent annoying provocation that results in depression in children. Obese children experience amplified dissatisfaction with their looks and appearance, and this leads to self-esteem and depression.

What is Childhood Obesity?

It is a medical condition in which a child becomes excessively overweight much above his or her normal weight, height and age.

Children become obese and gain excessive weight due to several reasons like
Poor health because of poor eating habits
Lack of physical activity
Genetic factors
Hormonal imbalance in rare cases

Childhood obesity is associated to psychological issues such as depression, sadness and mental illness. Guilt, low self-esteem and feeling of hopelessness are some factors associated with childhood obesity. Other problems are social problems like dissatisfaction, bullying and stigma

Depression

Depression is a state of mental instability, persistent feelings of sadness, irritability and low interest in any activities Mong children. It also results in feelings of guilt, dissatisfaction about looks, worthlessness and hopelessness and sometimes, thoughts of suicide.

Difference between Childhood Obesity and Depression

Definition

Childhood obesity

Childhood obesity is a medical condition in which a child is excessive overweight for his or her height and age. It is usually self-treatable with regular exercising and a balanced healthy diet.

Depression

Depression is a state of sadness, anxiety and aversion to activity in children. Childhood obesity is closely linked to depression.

Obesity in children often results in lower self-esteem, body dissatisfaction and eventually depression.

Symptoms

Childhood obesity

Symptoms of childhood obesity include:

Sleep apnoea
Liver and gallbladder problems, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
Breathing disorders
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Bowel, breast, prostate and uterine cancer
Diabetes (type 2 in children)
Coronary heart disease
Depression
high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, and diseases of joints such as osteoarthritis, pain in knees and lower back

Depression

Symptoms of childhood depression include;

Tiredness and less energy
Grumpiness and Irritability
Physical health issues like headaches, stomach aches
Felling of guilt, shame and worthlessness
Difficulty in concentrating and less focus
Development of suicidal thoughts
Inability to think properly (Impaired thinking)
Anger, grumpiness and irritation
Social withdrawal
Constant feelings of hopelessness and sadness
Increased sensitivity to rejection
Increased or decreased appetite
Insomnia or excessive sleep
Reduced interest to participate in events, extra-curricular activities in school and in any other social gatherings
Crying and Vocal outbursts

Risk factors

Childhood obesity

Depression
Heart disease
Asthma
Sleep disorders
Joint pain

Depression

Conduct, attention, or learning disorders
Childhood neglect
A loss of a loved one or a parent
Hormonal changes
Anxiety disorder
History of depression
Chronic illness e.g., diabetes
Cigarette smoking
Use of certain medications like Accutane
General stressors including socioeconomic deprivations

Treatment

Childhood obesity

Treatment consists of diet modifications

Low carbohydrate diet
Low fat diet
Low calorie diet
Limiting screen time
Physical exercise and Weight loss

Depression

Treatment includes;

Cognitive behaviour therapy and interpersonal therapy in case of mild depression in children
Psychotherapy for treating moderate to severe depression in children

Sertraline (Zoloft), Citalopram (Celexa), and Fluoxetine (Prozac) are recommended as first-line treatments for childhood depression

Treatment of major depression in children need to be continued for at least 6 months

Summary

The points of difference between Childhood Obesity and Depression have been summarized as below:

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