Poisoning childhood? what happens next

The number of documentaries and the amount of media coverage aimed at the incidence of morbid obesity in children and adults in UK today, have risen significantly.  There is also an increase in the prevalence of childhood depression.  Add to this the practice of including surgical procedures, as everyday items, to our shopping lists, and the picture becomes frightening.

'Patrick Holford, a psychologist and nutritionist, who heads the Food for the Brain Foundation, believes swift action is needed to help children. "There is absolutely no question that there is a profound link between children, their poor performance and a poor diet,"  he said.' (BBC News)

I would go so far as to add that this also has a profound impact on their career development and their own future parenting skills. 

When we also take into consideration that the government has invested billions into researching stress in the workplace - due to the amount of lost hours and the resultant financial implications this has on the economy - then a pattern starts to emerge.  Of course, it is likely that addressing some of the issues in working environments will go some way towards alleviating some of the current mental 'unwellness', but my belief is that the problems start long before leaving school.  Unless there is a multi-disciplinary approach towards both physical and mental health and well-being, starting early in childhood, then we will fast become a nation of depressive invalids.

Geoff Mulgan's comments on the 'mis-match between education and the needs of the UK service economy' illustrate another source of conflicting pressures resulting in anxiety and depression for the young adult population.   

Children's writers Philip Pullman and Jacqueline Wilson, and scientist Baroness Greenfield recently signed a letter to the Daily Telegraph warning that: "poor diet, restricting exercise, putting children in "academic straitjackets", and dressing them like "mini adults" will "restrict their creativity and enrichment".

Going on to add that:

"Our society rightly takes great pains to protect children from physical harm, but seems to have lost sight of their emotional and social needs.  However, it's now clear that the mental health of an unacceptable number of children is being unnecessarily compromised, and that this is almost certainly a key factor in the rise of substance abuse, violence and self-harm amongst our young people."  (BBC news)

So why is there this upsurge of support for surgical procedures, removal of dignity and, in some cases, abusive practices, all aimed at supposedly helping people to lose weight, to change their image, and implying that they will instantly lead fulfilling lives?  Why is the emotional side of these issues being overlooked or ignored?  And why is little attention being paid to the long term effects of some of these popularised procedures?

There are examples of heroic attempts to address some of these issues, for example, Jamie Oliver is proactively promoting the message of healthy eating, and I applaud his efforts, but what happens when the promotional vehicle itself implicitly criticises the parenting skills of the very people who need to be on board, to support and implement the necessary lifestyle changes? 

Perhaps we need an additional less obtrusive method that is non-confrontational and yet educational to help us avoid leaving a legacy of doom for future generations?

Comments

[isabella mori]

i would say that therapy/counselling is definitely an option. also, where obesity is seen/experienced as an addiction, it is worthwhile to look into the various recovery options, such as overeaters anonymous or rational recovery. during the more difficult times of tackling these issues, the combination between this kind of self-help recovery and therapy can be particularly helpful.