Social Implications of Overweight and Obesity in Children

PURPOSE.  To elucidate some of the social impacts that overweight and obesity in children has on families. Healthcare practitioners may be unaware of these impacts if not similarly affected.
DESIGN.  Qualitative semistructured, interview-based study.
METHODS.  A purposive sample of parents ( n  = 58) with overweight and obese children ( n  = 48) from three areas in the United Kingdom was used. Analysis was thematic and iterative , underpinned by Grounded Theory.
RESULTS.  There are many social situations that have an impact on the child directly (stigmatization), on parents (blame), and on the family in general (being ostracized).
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS.  Seeing the child and his/her family in a broader context with improved understanding of the complexity of raising an overweight child.