Although as a parent you probably realize the physical effects of helping your child to eat a healthy diet, what might not have occurred to you are the many significant mental effects a healthy diet will have on your child not only during their childhood, but on into adulthood as well.

The mental effects of obesity on children are severe and have sometimes led to such extreme results as suicide and deep depression.  Obese children are much more likely to be obese as adults, and if, as a parent you do not do everything you can while your children are young to help establish a lifestyle of healthy eating and exercise, your child will be left alone to fight an uphill battle.

Mental effects of obesity on children mostly result from the social discrimination they experience, both from their peers and even from adults such as teachers.  This discrimination results in low self-esteem, and children feel helpless and unhappy.  In fact, a 2003 study revealed the disturbing mindset of obese children, where they ranked their quality of life as low as those of young cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.  

Ensuring that your children eat healthy meals will not only help their weight stay at a normal, healthy number, and increase their self esteem and activity level, but the nutrients and natural benefits of healthy food will help increase the likelihood of your children’s success rate in sports, academics, sleep, and social skills.

Although both genders suffer from discrimination, obese girls tend to suffer more mental trauma from a poor body image and and often an eating disorder is  likely to be the result in both teens and young adults.