Overweight kids risk social difficulties

Being overweight has a negative impact on a child's wellbeing from as young as pre-school age, a new study has found.

Research from the University of Missouri revealed that overweight kids have less social interaction and are more likely to display problematic behaviour than children of a normal weight.

The study discovered that overweight children show more signs of depression, anxiety and loneliness than other kids.

Author of the report, Sara Gable, explained: "Overweight is widely considered a stigmatizing condition and overweight individuals are typically blamed for their situation. The experience of being stigmatized often leads to negative feelings, even in children."

She added that all children should be taught how to maintain a healthy weight and be encouraged to develop good eating habits from an early age.

Research published by the Endocrine Society last month found that obesity in children may increase risk of heart problems from as early as seven years old.

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