The current stereotype of beauty with thinness as the only acceptable aesthetic model. So obese people are subjected to social stigma.

At age 6 children have already internalized the idea of beauty, and adults have learned from media being thin is a positive attribute, whereas being overweight is negative. This helps young children from obesity manifested by rejection of offensive remarks and hurtful to their obese peers, even to marginalize them. This can cause serious psychological consequences such as poor self-concept, social skills deficits, social isolation, concern and dissatisfaction with body image. All these aspects may trigger eating disorder.

Also during adolescence the relationship with the peer group is fundamental to shaping the identity and self esteem. At this stage be subject to negative comments, do not receive social support and feeling left out will affect the self, in turn generating psychological distress.

It has been shown that the impact of this rejection is higher among obese adolescents than among overweight adolescents. Obese girls worry excessively about weight, shape and negative evaluation from others, this lowers their self-esteem and generates despair, which in turn may promote the development of restrictive eating behaviors for weight control. Submit restrictive eating behaviors is a risk factor for the onset of eating disorder.

In conclusion it is clear that the negative effects of the discrimination faced by overweight children and adolescents can generate psychological problems such as low self-esteem, anxiety, dissatisfaction with body image and eating disorders. So recently the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP) indicate that the psychological approach of this disease is essential for effective treatment.

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