New Study Reveals Alarming Link Between Childhood Obesity and Bullying

QUEENSLAND, Australia March 2012 – A recent study conducted by the University of Michigan has revealed that obese children in grades 3-6 are more likely to suffer childhood bullying in comparison to their peers who are at a healthy weight. According to the study, whilst this information alone is sadly not surprising the researchers did find it strange to discover that obese children are bullied more often even if they possess qualities that usually discourage bullies, such as having good social skills or doing well in school*. www.childhoodobesityanswers.com/

Julie Lumeng, M.D., a professor of paediatrics at the University of Michigan explains, “When we started this study, I really suspected that we might find that obesity or [being] overweight might not be the driving force. What we found is that it didn’t matter. No matter how good your social skills, if you were overweight or obese you were more likely to be bullied.”

The study shows that overall, kids who were obese were 65 per cent more likely to be bullied than their peers of healthy weight and overweight kids were 13 per cent more likely to be bullied, although that finding was not statistically significant*.

Healthy living devotees understand the seriousness of childhood obesity and are developing methods for children to receive healthy messages in ways they can relate to. Bursting with zest for life and eager to share her wealth of knowledge on fighting childhood obesity, healthy living author Sharon Cooper exposes the truth about junkfood and its harmful effects on kids in her new book – “Superfood Spike and The Fart of Junkfood Jimmy.”

The book tackles the sensitive and often difficult topic of junkfood and the dangerous effects it has on children’s health whilst provoking laughter from its readers. Using language that kids can understand and relate to, “Superfood Spike and The Fart of Junkfood Jimmy” addresses childhood obesity issues in a novel way. Readers become engrossed in the interesting and engaging characters who drive home the message that superfoods trump junkfood, helping parents and kids alike win the battle against childhood obesity. www.childhoodobesityanswers.com/
 
*http://edition.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/05/03/obesity.bullying/index.html

Contact Information

Sharon Cooper

Author

Superfood Spike

forest.blooms@bigpond.com.au