How to Deal with Teenage Obesity?

Youngsters like to look slim and trim. For a teenage girl her figure matters a lot. For a boy, he would like to flaunt around his muscles. Naturally, being over weight is not something they would like to be. Yet, teenage obesity, particularly in the US has become a major problem. Food habits have changed and youngsters prefer to go in for fast foods, rather than cook a meal at home. They watch too much of television at home and lack necessary exercise. Psychological problems have been on the increase. They become obese in case they are depressed and lonely.

Teenage health is of much concern to authorities as they are the future of tomorrow. Much awareness needs to be generated to make them realize that they need to take care of themselves and their health. What are the causes of teenage obesity? And how it affects their health? These questions need to be answered to understand and appreciate the gravity of the problem.

Causes of Teenage Obesity

• Due to increased emotional problems teenagers tend to eat more. In case, they have a bad love affair, or if their self-esteem is low, or they do not perform well at school, they undergo depression and tend to overeat.
• Modern lifestyles have changed the food habits of teenagers. They have no time to cook a meal. They virtually live off a MacDonald’s burger, coke and chips.
• Less physical activity. They spend more time watching T.V or playing video games on the computer. They lead a sedentary lifestyle. While watching they eat their favorite fast food and tend to put on weight.
• Many teenagers come from broken families and suffer from psychological problems. This also results in obesity.
• Too much partying also results in weight gain.
• Teenagers consume alcohol beverages, which contain a lot of calories.
• Wrong choices of food. Teenagers tend to eat food high in calories, which perhaps lack in necessary vitamins and minerals for healthy physical and mental growth.
• Parents are so busy, they do not have the time to spend with their children.

Two causes that often get missed

Sleep is the first one. Teenagers who sleep five or six hours a night tend to feel hungrier the next day. Late night phone use is a big part of this. The second is medicine. A few common prescriptions can cause weight gain as a side effect. If a teenager gains weight quickly after starting a new medicine, that is worth raising with the doctor rather than blaming the child.

How it affects health

The effects are not only about how a teenager looks. Doctors now see conditions in teenagers that used to appear only in middle age.

• Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance
• High blood pressure and raised cholesterol
• Fatty liver, which usually shows no symptoms early on
• Joint pain in the knees and back
• Breathing trouble during sleep
• Low mood, teasing at school and social withdrawal

The emotional side is often the heaviest part. Many teenagers stop swimming, stop sports and stop going out. That reduces activity further, and the cycle continues.

How to cope up with Teenage Obesity

• Parents need to take time out and discuss matters with their teenaged children. They should listen to their problems and also deal with their obesity.
• More awareness should be created about fast foods and their effect on teenagers’ health.
• Schools need to encourage obese teenagers to be more physically active.
• More parks should be constructed for children to play and exercise.
• Parents need to harmonize their relationships to promote more happiness in their family life.
• T.V. watching and playing video games on computer should be regulated.
• More families get-together need to be organized and parents should encourage teenagers to have lunches and dinners with them. Teenagers need to be encouraged to take homemade food.
• Exercise need to be full of fun, for teenagers to indulge in it on a regular basis.

Habits that work better than dieting

Strict diets rarely last, and for a growing teenager they can do harm. Steady habits do more good over a year than any short plan.

• Sit and eat together as a family whenever possible
• Keep sugary drinks and energy drinks out of the house
• Protect sleep and keep phones out of the bedroom at night
• Find an activity the teenager actually enjoys, not one you enjoy
• Let the whole family follow the same rules, not just the one child
• Cook at home more often and involve the teenager in it

That last point matters more than it sounds. A teenager who can cook three simple meals carries that skill for life.

When weight talk turns into something else

Sometimes the effort to lose weight goes too far in the other direction. Watch for skipped meals, sudden interest in cutting whole food groups, exercising even when unwell, or extreme worry about body shape. These can be early signs of an eating disorder, and they show up in teenagers of every size. Speak to a doctor early rather than waiting.

Teenagers who are obese need to slim down. They need to exercise more and avoid leading a sedentary life. Parents need to spend more time with them. The authorities, be it the Government or school need to tackle the problem of obesity at grass root level.

Frequently asked questions

How is obesity measured in a teenager?

Doctors use BMI, but they read it against a growth chart for that age and sex. A single number means little for someone who is still growing.

Should a teenager be told to lose weight?

Often the goal is to hold weight steady while they grow taller. That is a decision for a doctor, not a parent alone.

Is it genetics or lifestyle?

Both play a part. Genes can decide how easily a teenager gains weight. Daily habits decide whether that tendency turns into a problem.

How much activity does a teenager need?

Health bodies suggest about an hour of activity most days. Walking, cycling, dancing and household work all count.