Aug 15, 2010 Jenny Hildenbrandt
There are three major environmental factors that contribute to the growth rates of obesity: the media, parental influence, and peers.
There are three major environmental factors that contribute to the growth rates of obesity: the media, parental influence, and peers.
The Impact of the Media
Television advertisements in particular have a large bearing on adolescents. Advertisements are directly targeted toward the youth population. Therefore, adolescents are easily influenced to engage in the observed behaviors. In addition, the number of advertisements for food is overwhelming and thus entices hunger even when one does not feel hungry. Of course overeating is not the only negative consequence associated with the media.
The media has a large impact on defining roles and what is accepted by society. For adolescents in particular, it is crucial to be aware of the latest styles and trends. Much of this is found on TV and in magazines. The media plays a major influence in the development of young girls. Magazines and TV advertisements use thin beautiful models to sell their products. The perception of this ideal body image presents a difficult battle for the obese adolescent female. She is frustrated by her desire to be thin and her failure to achieve this goal. Her unhappiness with her body builds and her self-esteem diminishes.
Advertising does not only portray the wrong message but sends conflicting messages. Commercials use slim, attractive people who eat high-calorie foods and still look great. This only encourages eating these foods. False hopes and assumptions begin to develop. The preconceived notion is that "I can look like her even if I do eat a hamburger and fries from McDonalds." One advertisement stresses the importance to maintain a healthy active lifestyle with diet and exercise, yet another advertisement encourages one to indulge in fatty food consumption. This conflict contributes largely to an obese child’s thoughts and behaviors.
Parental Influences on Adolescent Behavior
Another environmental factor that contributes largely to an adolescent’s behavior is parental influence. For the obese adolescent, the parent’s role is crucial to modeling a healthy lifestyle for their child. In today’s society as parents, there is pressure for both parents to work full-time in order to meet minimal expenses of raising a family. Unfortunately, as a result, families are spending less time together. This can have a tremendous impact on a child. Consequently, children may engage in detrimental behaviors such as violence or promiscuous behaviors. They may become prone to depression and struggle both academically and socially. An obese adolescent can identify with these feelings.
With the hurried lifestyle of today’s families, often parents and children do not eat together as a family. Choosing cheap fast food over more costly nutritional meals becomes routine. This does not only affect weight and increase health concerns, but can have a detrimental effect in other areas such as social and mental growth. When families engage in other activities such as eating dinner together, social capacity is developed. For an obese adolescent, it is important to maintain positive social connections. Often these connections are lacking in their neighborhood and school. Maintaining positive social relations at home alleviates some of the struggles with self-esteem that an obese adolescent faces amongst their peers.
Peer Influences
As early as preschool, peers play a significant role on a child’s development. Acceptance and support becomes crucial to one’s interactions and behaviors. Unfortunately, however support and acceptance aren’t always offered. In their book Children's Needs II: Development, Problems, & Alternatives [Bethesda: National Association of Psychologists, 1999] S.G. Hassink and D.V. Sheslow explain that it is during the elementary-school years when children with weight problems withdraw and/or are pushed away by their peers. There is prejudice toward individuals that do not look a certain way.
The prejudice associated with obesity is intense. For an obese adolescent, the impact is that much greater. The self-concept of obese teens seems to suffer at this developmental period when “watching and being watched” by peers seems so important adds Hassink and Sheslow. Often these students are ridiculed and teased which can lead to depression and isolation. In turn they resort to food and sedentary non-social activities to satisfy their emotional needs.
Adolescents rely on their peers for guidance and acceptance. Because socialization is crucial to this developmental period, peer pressure is predominant. It is typical for teens to spend time together eating and socializing. Fast food restaurants become a typical hangout . The obese adolescent that struggles with their weight also struggles with fitting in. Comfort is found through these social connections and unfortunately the healthy lifestyle takes a secondary role.
Recognizing Prejudice Toward Obese Individuals
Obesity is on the rise as is the depression and isolation one feels that is associated with it. Emotionally, socially, and physically an obese child is affected. The problem will most likely not diminish soon. However, recognizing there is a prejudice associated with obesity and finding support through friends and family would be a great first step to a healthier social and mental development for these teens.
Sources
Hassink, S.G. & Sheslow, D.V. Children’s Needs II: Development, Problems & Alternatives. Bethesda: National Association of School Psychologists, 1999.
Marmitt, Lynn. Adolescent Obesity. New Haven: Yale-New Haven, 2004.
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