Obesity and overweight are of major concern in Irish children with girls being more affected. It is associated with a higher likelihood of having chronic conditions and being bullied.
Children who are overweight or obese are more likely to be victimised by bullying when compared to children who are not overweight. The findings, to be presented today [Wednesday 6 July] at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Academic Primary Care held at the University of Bristol this week [Wednesday 6 to Friday 8 July], explore the prevalence of overweight and obesity in nine-year-olds and its associations with chronic illness and bullying. Childhood obesity is a major personal, family and public health challenge. Weight problems and obesity in children has increased dramatically throughout Europe in the past two decades. In addition to the increased likelihood of adult obesity with its associated health risks, serious short-term physical and psychosocial consequences endanger the wellbeing of an affected child. The researchers used a sample of 8,568 nine-year-old children and their families from the first wave of data collection from Growing Up in Ireland - the National Longitudinal Study of Children. The study found obesity to be more prevalent in girls.
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