Self-reflexive and self-practices of the obesity children : a case study of the sixth grade students in Ubonratchatani province

• Main Author: Jutipon Ponkerd
• Other Authors: Mullika Muttiko
• Language: English
• Published: Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center 2023
• Subjects: Child psychology > Thailand > Ubonratchatani; Obesity > Children; Self-control; Students > Thailand > Ubonratchatani
• Online Access: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/89523
• Institution: Mahidol University

Qualitative case studies of obese children regarding self-reflexive thoughts and selfreactions against their obesities were established at a primary school in Ubonratchatani Province. The study objectives were 1) to explore the social construction of obesity (by families, school teachers and friends, and the social media) in aspects of meaning and social actions in response to child obesity and 2) to explore self-reflexive thoughts and self-practices against obesities of obese children. Sixteen participants were the sixth-grade students who were identified as obese by body mass index criteria. Data was collected during September, 2010 to February, 2011 by written self-stories, pictorial ethnography, in-depth interviews, non-participation observation and focus groups. The first finding was obese children initially realized that obesity was normal and a family preference. This was because their families, the main determination, had constructed the meaning of obesity in children as 'healthy children' since their children were little kids. Not only constructing the positive meaning, parents also treated their children to become obese. For example, there was no limit on the amount of food; and junk or sweet foods that were given to the children as rewards. Obese children thought that in spite of their fat bodies, nothing was harmful to them. They still enjoyed eating and ignored warnings or orders to have some exercise from their parents. The second finding was obese children had to rethink the meaning of obesity when they were in different circumstances, such as situations in school. At school, they interacted with some persons (friends and teachers) who teased them about their obesity or treated them as disgusting persons. Moreover, they needed to join compulsory school activities that were sometimes so hard for obese persons, such as physical exercises. Besides, the regular activity of growth monitoring by body weight repeatedly made them perceive that they are abnormal persons. All of these experiences lead them to realize that obesity is a threat since a fat body is socially undesirable. Obese children then struggled to be socially accepted such as joining activities that they were important persons like playing 'Cha-ka-Yeau'. The third finding was the social media were more significant determining than the family and the school. Television media demonstrated some interconnections from obesity to diseases, beauty, and sexual attraction. Obese children then perceived obesity as fatal and disturbance of forming self-identity. As a result, some of the obese-child participants could reform themselves. Initially, they chose their identity based on their desires. Then, they develop their self-control to derive their desired bodies. The first suggestion is for the family. Families should realize their way of thinking and taking care of their children influence the future habits of their children. Parents should provide the meaning of 'healthy' as that is acquired by a balance of good diets and appropriate exercises. Also, parents should help their children to have discipline. The second suggestion is for the school as the place to officially detect obesity. School teachers should set special programs for obese students so that the activities are suitable for them and they feel free to join. The last suggestion is to monitor the social media since obese children are influenced by both positive and negative effects of the social media. Parents and teachers should be aware of some possible negative effects by the media.