Kamis, 28 Juni 2012

Sad schooldays linked to illness in middle age: Unpopular pupils more likely to suffer obesity and health problems later

Sad schooldays linked to illness in middle age: Unpopular pupils more likely to suffer obesity and health problems later

  • Effects were particularly noticeable among women

By Fiona Macrae Science Correspondent

PUBLISHED: 18:00 EST, 27 June 2012 | UPDATED: 18:00 EST, 27 June 2012

Being unpopular with your classmates may not only make your schooldays miserable, it could also make you ill decades later.

Research has shown the those who are socially isolated in their teens are more likely to suffer health problems from obesity to high blood pressure when they hit their 40s.

The legacy of unhappy schooldays was particularly noticeable among the women studied.

Research has shown the those who are socially isolated in their schooldays are more likely to suffer health problems from obesity to high blood pressure when they hit their 40s

Effects: Research has shown the those who are socially isolated in their schooldays are more likely to suffer health problems when they hit their 40s

Importantly, the health effects weren’t limited to those who were bullied at school, suggesting that even being slightly socially isolated can be harmful to health.

Swedish researchers analysed data from a study that tracked the health and habits of around 900 16-year-olds for 27 years.

At the start, their teachers were asked to rate how extroverted or introverted they were and their popularity. At around the age of 43, they underwent a battery of medical tests.

The results linked unpopularity and social isolation to obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, bad blood fats and lack of ‘good’ cholesterol.

This cluster of problems is known as metabolic syndrome and greatly increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The study, published in the journal PLoS ONE, also showed that the more unpopular someone was in their teens, the more likely they were to suffer from metabolic syndrome in middle-age.

Results: The researchers linked unpopularity and social isolation to obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, bad blood fats and lack of 'good' cholesterol

Results: The researchers linked unpopularity and social isolation to obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, bad blood fats and lack of 'good' cholesterol

The effect was particularly noticeable among the girls, with the most unpopular and introverted at 16 more than three times as likely to be in bad shape at 43.

The researchers, from Umea University, said the results can’t simply explained away by those who are in bad health in middle-age being sickly since their teens.

They added that their study is the first to show that unhappy schooldays can have such long-lasting consequences.

Various factors could lie behind the effect. For instance, loneliness raises levels of the hormone cortisol and can push blood pressure up into the danger zone for heart attacks and strokes.

High levels of cortisol can also suppress the immune system, raising a person’s vulnerability to disease.

The lonely also sleep more fitfully, feel lethargic during the day and are more likely to rely on sleeping tablets.

Those who feel left out may also resort to comfort eating and be less likely to look after t hemselves in general.

Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have not been moderated.

  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Best rated
  • Worst rated

That article has just described my schooldays and adult life with frightening accuracy. I couldn't agree more. This is very disturbing.

Report abuse

Doesn't bode well for me in twenty years time.....

Report abuse

According to reports, the Duchess of Cambridge was bullied at school to the extent of having to be removed and sent somewhere else - look at her now!

Report abuse

I thoroughly disagree with these findings. I was bullied relentlessly for years. Completely unpopular and excluded. My home life was even worse with verbal and physical abuse so no help/understanding there. I decided to fight against it. Educated myself, have a good career, am confident, am slim (apart from during pregnancy!) have a wonderful House, gorgeous Husband, beautiful Daughter with another baby on the way, socialise/dont socialise (its up to me) am certainly NOT permanently damaged. No High Blood Pressure for me thanks. Please do not believe everything you read. You can come out on top - I did.

Report abuse

And if this comforts anyone who was bullied or not one of the 'badass kids'. Some of these 'badass kids' and bullies didn't go onto higher education, ended up as layabouts on benefits and stuck in low down dead end jobs. I ended up with a far better income and education. Revenge of the Nerds indeed.

Report abuse

I was a shy quiet kid at school and quite often made fun of as one of 'the losers', bullied, never invited to parties and events, always the last to get picked for the football team etc. Since then, if anything, it made me far more determined to make a success of myself and make myself a better person. I've got a beautiful wife, a thriving business, I love my work and life keeps getting better. I will never to go to a school reunion, and I've shut that part of my life out my head. We grow up and move on.

Report abuse

I concur

Report abuse

Haha, I'm far from popular but I'm definitely not overweight nor do I suffer any sort of health disorder - in fact, not being very popular at school has made me more hardworking than a vast majority of my peers and with that, I know I have the potential to succeed in later life.

Report abuse

What many children who are bullied are not told is that school is only a small part of your life it should NOT define you as a person. I was one of the lucky ones - relentles harrasment from spiteful, vicious, insecure, ignorant, rude and dim people. At least I can hold my head up with pride as an adult, Some of us thrived as soon as we left the school environment and went to university and into work but there are many who have been scarred for life who I see now and I know that they have been broken by that experience. A little kindeness goes a long way in life - like it or not we all occupy a space on this planet.

Report abuse

I was bullied at senior school and I'm almost certain it has had a fairly long term effect on me. I lack confidence, I have had to work on having any sort of self esteem, I lost interest in my studies though I found my way back, I get a little anxious and occasionally suffer with panic attacks. All that makes me sound like a shivery little mouse in the corner, but I'm not. I've managed to pull myself out of being quiet but I still have the effects, 12 years later.

Report abuse

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

di

Tidak ada komentar:

Posting Komentar