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.