Childhood obesity is not only an epidemic in the United States, but can also lead to kids having health and behavioral issues. Many studies have found a link between being an obese or overweight child and being unhappy, but the question is: which one causes the other? A recent article from WFAA.com asks the question, does obesity cause children to be unhappy or are unhappy children more likely to become obese? The answer is revealed in a recent study released in the October issue of Pediatrics.

Research finds a link between being an overweight child and unhappiness.

This study found that obese 8 and 9-year-olds were more likely to suffer socially and emotionally than their normal-weight peers. This study was conducted in Australia and was led by Michael Gifford Sawyer of Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide.

As part of the study, researchers checked the body mass index (BMI) of children 4-5 years old, and then again in a couple of years. Parents and teachers filled out questionnaires that assessed children’s mental health and health-related quality of life.

The study found that kids with high BMIs had 15-20 percent greater odds of having problems interacting with their peers, as reported by teachers, when they were 8 and 9.

There have been other studies done to observe the link between obese children and unhappiness. However, the question of whether obesity leads to unhappiness or social problems, or unhappiness and other mental health issues lead to obesity has left researchers perplexed.

“There have been a number of studies over the past 5 to 10 years looking at whether or not obesity in young children and adolescents is related to emotional, behavioral and mental health problems,” said Dr. Julie Lumeng, an assistant professor in the department of pediatrics and communicable diseases at University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. “There’s been a lot of discussion about which direction that relationship goes in – does obesity cause children to be unhappy, or is it that unhappy children are more likely to become obese? Many people think it goes in both ways.”

Lumeng believes that unhappiness among obese children can come from being made fun of for their weight.

The results of this study also don’t necessarily match with the results that would occur here in the United States, as Australia has a lower rate of childhood obesity. In the U.S., childhood obesity is at about 17 percent for children ages 2-19. In Australia the rate of childhood obesity is at 4.5 percent for boys and 5.3 percent for girls.

Besides the potential psychological issues that may result from childhood obesity, there are various health risks associated, including sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, diabetes, heart disease, gallstones, asthma and menstrual problems. These risks are associated with adult obesity as well.

To help prevent and treat childhood obesity, try some of these suggestions brought to you by the Mayo Clinic website:

Start small- Don’t overwhelm your child by making huge changes all at the same time. It is much easier to incorporate gradual changes into their daily routine on the path to a healthy lifestyle. Start small by turning off the TV during dinner, switching from soda to skim milk or water, and taking a family walk after dinner once a week.

Set weight loss goals- Be realistic in setting these goals for each member of the family and set a family goal as well. For example, your child’s goal may be to eat fruit for their afternoon snack. Your goal may be to take a brisk walk three days a week. The family’s goal may be to limit fast food meals to once a month.

Encourage a healthy lifestyle by doing physical activity as a family.

Recognize triggers- There are some situations that tempt you to fall back into old habits. Be aware of your surroundings and try to make small changes. For example, if you usually eat a large tub of popcorn at the movies, only bring enough money for the admission ticket alone. This way, you won’t even have the option to be tempted.

Celebrate success- Rewards are good for motivation, as long as they’re not in the form of junk food! When your child meets a goal, praise them for it. Brainstorm healthy ways for your family to celebrate meeting a goal, such as a movie night, weekend picnic or a trip to the pool.

Keep it positive- Don’t get hung up on the number on the scale. More importantly, focus on healthy lifestyle changes because these are for long-term success. Treatment for childhood obesity takes time and dedication to enforce new, healthier behaviors.

Be flexible- It takes time to form new, healthy habits. Encourage and motivate your family, but be willing to make small changes if necessary if something isn’t working right. It’s better to make a new plan to find something that works!

Keep healthy foods on hand- If you don’t keep junk food in your house, you won’t be tempted to eat it. Stock up on fruits, vegetables, whole-grains and other healthy options.

Eat in- It’s much easier to control your food intake when the food preparation is in your home. It is also important to have meals as a family. Try to limit the number of times your family goes out to eat and plan weekly menus using new recipes or healthier alternatives to family favorites. Try to be reasonable about portion size and allow seconds on fruits and vegetables only. Encourage the kids to get involved in grocery shopping and meal preparation.

Build physical activity into the daily routine- Healthy diet is extremely important for weight loss, but physical activity is the other part of the equation. Get the whole family involved in outings that get you moving, such as walking to the library or taking a family bike ride. Include children in active chores, such as washing the car or walking the dog. Encourage your children to participate in school or community sports or other active activities.

Limit household screen time- It’s not uncommon for the whole family to gather on the couch for their favorite TV show, but be sure to limit that time. The same goes for computer and video games. Altogether, each family member should spend no more than one to two hours a day participating in these non-active activities. Don’t allow TVs and computers in bedrooms and don’t allow eating in front of the TV or computer.

The most important thing a parent can do overall is to encourage and motivate their child to succeed. Sometimes, children don’t know how to make the best choices when it comes to a healthy lifestyle. That is when it is up to the parent to guide them towards the healthy path. In the long run, it will not only result in good health, but higher levels of happiness among the family.

Do you believe that there is a link between childhood obesity and unhappiness? If so, do you believe that obesity leads to unhappiness, or does unhappiness lead to obesity? What are some things your family does to encourage a healthy lifestyle at home? Will you try to incorporate some of these suggestions into your own family life?