Last updated on 1 July 2024
Because the rise in childhood obesity in France is particularly worrying, Novo Nordisk is launching ‘Our drawings for the future’, a competition for 7-13 year-olds, aimed at deconstructing false beliefs that are the source of mockery in schools and on social networks.
Obesity is a complex disease, recognised by the World Health Organisation since 1997 (1) and whose causes can be multiple: genetic predisposition, sedentary lifestyle, diet, mental health, other diseases … (2)
In France, 17% of the adult population is overweight or obese and 34% children from 2 to 7 years old. (3)
Children also face grossophobia. More than 1 in 10 children between the ages of 2 and 17 have already been discriminated against because of their weight (4) and children who are obese are twice as likely to be bullied in school (6). Moreover, a study has shown that the psychological suffering caused by grossophobia can begin as early as 3 years of age (5) and the pressure is such that 20% children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 reported having tried to lose weight in the past, especially girls (25% girls against, 14% boys). (6)
Such discrimination has a significant impact on the mental health of children and adolescents with obesity, who are twice as likely to suffer from depression and anxiety as others. (7)
This is why it is essential to raise awareness among children from an early age about obesity and that those who suffer from it are not responsible for it. It is therefore important to fight these discriminations and offer a more tolerant future for future generations!
Let’s fight together against discrimination against children who suffer from obesity
To your pencils. Until 6 July 2024, children between the ages of 7 and 13 are invited to take part in the ‘Grand Contest’. Our Drawings for the Future’, a drawing contest organised by Novo Nordisk representing a scene where all children, regardless of their weight, live in joy and good humor. A creative and fun way to engage for more tolerance.
The winning drawings will be displayed in large format in the city of the winners.
Do you work with children aged 7 to 13?
The Contest " Our Drawings for the Future It is also an opportunity to put in place prevention actions around obesity and grossophobia.
To do this, we provide you with a kit to help you set up workshops. On the www.nosdessinspourlavenir.fr You will find at your disposal an animated film that introduces the pathophysiology of obesity and the definition of the term ‘gromophobia’ at child’s level, colouring pages for the youngest, and key figures to communicate to them on the impact of discrimination.
Information from the health company Novo Nordisk
References:
(1) https://liguecontrelobesite.org/
(2) Obesity. Adipose tissue disease. https://www.inserm.fr/dossier/obesitis/
(3) Odoxa study for the League Against Obesity http://www.odoxa.fr/survey/epidemiological-national-sur-le-overweight-et-lobesite.
(4) Odoxa investigation. “La grossophobia en France Discriminations et obesity: state of play.” for La Ligue contre l’obesité. 2020.
(5) Stigma Experienced by Children and Adolescents With Obesity Stephen J. Pont, Rebecca Puhl, Stephen R. Cook, Wendelin Slusser, Section on Obesity, The
Obesity Society. Pediatrics December 2017; 140 (6): e20173034. 10.1542/peds.2017-3034
(6) DREES (2019). Obesity and school harassment: close ties.
(7) Sutaria, S., Devakumar, D., Yasuda, S. S.,Das, S., Saxena, S., & Ismail, S. A. (2020). The association between obesity and poor mental healthoutcomes among children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of Affective Disorders, 266, 1-11.
FR24OB00078 – April 2024
English