Teenage Obesity

Obesity continued to increase dramatically during the 2008 for Americans of all ages. Teenage obesity is a dangerous and growing problem.

16 years old black American boy, weight - 150 kg (330.69 lbs)

There are several teenage obesity causes. The main reasons for teenage obesity are – overeating, less activity or inactivity, excess TV viewing. If a teen eats and drinks more than the body needs, the excess energy stores in the form of body fat. And, adding to this if the teen is not doing enough regular exercise, it worsens the problem. Many studies have shown teens having a television in their bedrooms have the tendency to watch it more which leads to inactivity, the main culprit of teenage obesity.

13 years old white American boy, weight 170 kg (374.79 lbs)

Reverse the cause o teenage obesity. It offers the solutions to treat the teen obesity problem. Eat healthy diet. Avoid eating fast food and junk food, which is a common tendency during teenage. Do regular exercise. It’s important not just to avoid obesity but also to stay active throughout the day. Teens have to involve in many activities in a day, which requires them to be active. And, avoid watching TV or using computer for longer durations.

Help your teen understand that losing weight and keeping it off is a lifetime commitment. Fad diets may rob your growing teen of iron, calcium and other essential nutrients. Weight-loss pills and other quick fixes don't address the root of the problem. And the effects are often short-lived. Without a permanent change in habits, any lost weight is likely to return — and then some.

13 years old white American girl, weight 145 kg (319.67 lbs)

Like adults, teens need about 60 minutes of physical activity a day. But that doesn't necessarily mean 60 solid minutes at a stretch. Shorter, repeated bursts of activity during the day can help burn calories, too. In fact, any physical activity counts.

Team sports through school or community programs are great ways to get active. If your teen isn't an athlete or is hesitant to participate in certain sports, that's OK. Encourage him or her to walk, bike or in-line skate to school, or to walk a few laps through the halls before class. Suggest trading one hour of after-school channel surfing for shooting baskets in the driveway, jumping rope or walking the dog. Even household chores such as vacuuming and washing the car have aerobic benefits.

Teenage obesity affects both the physical and psychological health of young people and puts them at risk of ill health as adults, and the longer an adolescent is obese, the harder it is to fix.

Young teenagers who are obese are about 25 percent more likely to have weight and health problems as adults; for older obese adolescents, that figure rises to nearly 80 percent.

The solution seems simple. Although your genes do play a role, a lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns, or a combination of the two are mainly responsible for weight problems and obesity in adolescents.