Physical Development
Self-Esteem and Self-Image
In today's society, people are regularly exposed to
radio, television, and print media suggesting the "perfect" look or
appearance. Whether a person is old enough or not to understand the
falseness surrounding these messages, it can have the effect of making
children, especially adolescents, feel unsatisfied with their
self-image. From time to time, people tend to look at the mirror to
analyze their body for "flaws" and then begin to imagine how they would
feel if they were a few kilograms thinner or a few kilograms heavier.
High school students, especially, will begin to fantasize a world that
revolves around them, thinking about the incredible popularity they
could gain with these changes in mind. Since conformity is a strong
factor in this period of development, adolescents seek to be liked and
approved of by their peers (Auger and Rich, 2007). If children take
pride in someone else's accomplishments but their own, and lose sight of
all the wonderful things taking place around them, it indicates a phase
of low self-esteem. Often, students who suffer from low-esteem will
avoid trying new things at school or at home because they feel
unsatisfied with the things they have failed to achieve. In turn, they
may feel unloved and unwanted, and find themselves unable to tolerate
normal levels of frustration. These behavioural patterns are imminent in
both males and females, but it is also important to note that they are
commonly expressed differently, depending on the person. For instance, a
male student may deliberately eat more junk food to gain a few extra
pounds in hopes of making the wrestling team, while a female student may
resort to eating considerably less to feel thin and accepted - both of
which are unhealthy choices. Understanding the effect of a child's
weight is an important aspect for teachers to recognize because the
words and actions used in the classroom can greatly impact how
students feel about their self-image.
Obesity is a serious health concern because it leads
to a wide range of physical and psychological problems. Childhood
obesity is already the leading cause of pediatric hypertension and
diabetes (Alexander et al., 1992). Studies also show that half
of overweight children become overweight adults and children of obese
parents may become obese adults (Carlson et al., 2001). In
addition, obesity contributes to high cholesterol, joint disease,
menstrual irregularities and other hormonal imbalances. Students who are
obese are frequently teased by their peers, targeted by bullies, and are
chosen less as playmates during recess. Moreover, eating disorders such
as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are also complex illnesses that
commonly affect adolescents. Unlike obesity, these disorders are
characterized by low body weight due to a lack of eating, in fear of
gaining weight. These conditions lead to similar health problems to
those associated with obesity, such as heart failure and amenorrhea
(Bernstein, 2008).
Figure 1. A cartoon depicting a person suffering from anorexia.
Figure 2. Food guide to healthy
eating for people years and over. Click to enlarge.
Although the conditions outlined above are extreme,
teachers must know how to approach students of all levels to regularly
promote a healthy way of living, even if they do not necessary follow
one themselves. Elementary school students are usually intrigued by
their teacher. In most cases, they respect or even admire the way their
teacher responds to certain situations and follow by their example. As a
result, whenever a teacher brings in a sweetened soft drink for lunch,
they should avoid drinking it in front of their students during snack
period because it can influence their student's choice of beverage.
Adding sugared drinks to one's diet results in an excess of carbohydrate
storage in the liver, and in turn, is converted to fat if the body
remains inactive. Furthermore, a teacher should never speak of a
particular diet they are undertaking. If a young student see their
teacher drinking diet coke, and asks the teacher why some people prefer
diet coke over regular coke, a teacher knowledgeable about obesity
should be able to provide a reasonable answer that excludes the notion
of weight. When the time is right, a teacher should educate their
students on healthy eating, according to the four food groups (Figure
6), and provide reasoning for why each group is essential. In addition,
bringing a healthy snack or lunch must be encouraged regularly. Adding
posters relating to the importance of outdoor activities and healthy
eating should be implemented on the walls of every classroom to ensure
that the point gets across to all students. In total, knowing this
information can help teachers improve their student's poor eating habits
and encourage them to take more responsibility in regards to their
health.
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