Serious reasons why you shouldn't start dieting at a young age
Dec 27, 2024
Although the use of appetite suppressants is prohibited for adolescents recently, 3,782,000 appetite suppressants were prescribed to 48,660 adolescents from 2020 to June 2024.
In this situation, my daughter in the upper grades of elementary school said "Mom, I think I've gained weight. I think I should go on a diet. How should parents react?
Through the advice of Chae Kyu-hee, CEO of 365mc Nowon branch, we learned how families can form healthy lifestyles together and lead children in the right direction.
Recently, due to the influence of SNS and peer culture, the phenomenon that children pursue unrealistic beauty standards and yearn for excessively skinny bodies has been pointed out as a problem. Experts warn that this trend could lead to unhealthy diets and lower self-esteem.
With the spread of smartphones, children have been exposed to SNS since childhood. In particular, the colorful appearance of famous idols and influencers on global SNS such as Instagram and TikTok has a great influence on children. On the positive side, you can be a good role model, but if you go too far, you can compare yourself to them and lead to dissatisfaction with your appearance.
The influence of peer groups cannot be ignored. Appearance obsession intensifies as pressure grows to be recognized by friends only when they follow fashionable looks or styles. The problem is that most of the images encountered on SNS are unrealistic that have been filtered and corrected.
CEO Chae said "If children think of appearances that are difficult to achieve in reality as ideal, it is difficult for them to make correct judgments as they are deeply immersed in appearance and diet-related contents." he warned.
According to a statistical survey by a student clothing company, many elementary school students have tried dieting. In a survey of 10,939 elementary, middle, and high school students, 4,000 students answered that the first time they started dieting was 'elementary school'.
However, experts say that starting a diet at a young age can cause serious problems in growing up. Physical development inhibition and decreased immunity are typical.
"Lack of nutrients required during the growing season negatively affects height growth and physical development," said Chae. "In particular, protein, calcium, and vitamin D deficiencies hinder growth plate development, and vitamin A, C, D, and zinc deficiencies lower immunity, making them more vulnerable to infection." In addition, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and iodine deficiencies can also adversely affect cognitive development, leading to decreased learning ability and concentration. In serious cases, it may lead to eating disorders, so caution is needed.
The role of parents is more important than anything else when children are worried about their appearance or diet problems. Parents should sincerely sympathize with their children's concerns and make efforts to communicate. Conversations that understand a child's thoughts and feelings can be an important first step instead of simply ignoring or admonishing them.
Chae said, "Children's obsession with appearance and bad diet are not individual problems, but problems that families, schools, and society must solve together." "Parents' interest and support greatly affect children's healthy growth, and children's self-esteem and happiness can be enhanced through activities with open dialogue."," he said.
In this situation, my daughter in the upper grades of elementary school said "Mom, I think I've gained weight. I think I should go on a diet. How should parents react?
Through the advice of Chae Kyu-hee, CEO of 365mc Nowon branch, we learned how families can form healthy lifestyles together and lead children in the right direction.
Recently, due to the influence of SNS and peer culture, the phenomenon that children pursue unrealistic beauty standards and yearn for excessively skinny bodies has been pointed out as a problem. Experts warn that this trend could lead to unhealthy diets and lower self-esteem.
With the spread of smartphones, children have been exposed to SNS since childhood. In particular, the colorful appearance of famous idols and influencers on global SNS such as Instagram and TikTok has a great influence on children. On the positive side, you can be a good role model, but if you go too far, you can compare yourself to them and lead to dissatisfaction with your appearance.
The influence of peer groups cannot be ignored. Appearance obsession intensifies as pressure grows to be recognized by friends only when they follow fashionable looks or styles. The problem is that most of the images encountered on SNS are unrealistic that have been filtered and corrected.
CEO Chae said "If children think of appearances that are difficult to achieve in reality as ideal, it is difficult for them to make correct judgments as they are deeply immersed in appearance and diet-related contents." he warned.
According to a statistical survey by a student clothing company, many elementary school students have tried dieting. In a survey of 10,939 elementary, middle, and high school students, 4,000 students answered that the first time they started dieting was 'elementary school'.
However, experts say that starting a diet at a young age can cause serious problems in growing up. Physical development inhibition and decreased immunity are typical.
"Lack of nutrients required during the growing season negatively affects height growth and physical development," said Chae. "In particular, protein, calcium, and vitamin D deficiencies hinder growth plate development, and vitamin A, C, D, and zinc deficiencies lower immunity, making them more vulnerable to infection." In addition, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and iodine deficiencies can also adversely affect cognitive development, leading to decreased learning ability and concentration. In serious cases, it may lead to eating disorders, so caution is needed.
The role of parents is more important than anything else when children are worried about their appearance or diet problems. Parents should sincerely sympathize with their children's concerns and make efforts to communicate. Conversations that understand a child's thoughts and feelings can be an important first step instead of simply ignoring or admonishing them.
Chae said, "Children's obsession with appearance and bad diet are not individual problems, but problems that families, schools, and society must solve together." "Parents' interest and support greatly affect children's healthy growth, and children's self-esteem and happiness can be enhanced through activities with open dialogue."," he said.
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bellho@sportschosun.com
