Relationship of Alexithymia With Obesity in Children

Childhood is the most crucial stage and lays the foundation of life. It is a period of rapid- physical, mental, social and emotional development of children. At this age, emotions play an important role. Emotional development includes the emergence of a child's experience, expression, understanding, and regulation of emotions. The regulation of emotions depends upon how a child recognizes labels and controls the expression of his emotions in ways that are generally consistent with cultural expectations. Emotional development does not occur in isolation; the social and behavioural influences have a pivotal role in this context.Any hindrance occurring during this age impacts child's social, emotional and physical health. One of the current issues which is caused by the dys-regulation of emotionsis Obesity. Childhood obesity is an important issue because of the staggering proportions that this disease has reached. It has reached epidemic levels across national and socio-cultural boundaries', creating a dire need to turn over a new leaf for the child's physical and psychological health. Keeping in view the above, present investigation was planned to study the relationship of alexithymia and obesity in children. The total sample for this study comprised of 463 children, out of which 303 children were obese and 160 children were non-obese control group.Alexithymia questionnaire for children (Rieffe, Oosterveld & Terwogt; 2005)was administered andanalysis of data was carried out using both descriptive and inferential statistical measures. The results and their implications are discussed in the paper. The study makes a strong case for counselling- workshops for parenting, and counselling-group sessions for training in emotions management for children.