Obesity and Our Teens
There are plenty of health concerns when it comes to our teens and obesity. Our bodies can be affected in many ways when we are obese including heart problems, increased risk for diabetes, joint problems, breathing difficulties, sleep difficulties, mood disturbances, and a decrease in energy level. Being severely overweight can have an impact on every aspect of a teen’s life.
Did you know that obesity runs in families? When a teen has parents that are obese they are much more likely to be obese too. One reason could be because there is a tendency to gain wait because genes strongly influence both body type and body size.
Another factor in teen obesity is that food is so readily available today what with fast-food restaurants being on every corner, stores being open 24-hrs and family eating habits such as eating around the TV, eating bigger portions, and having less-active lifestyles than generations past.
Teens may also turn to food for emotional support when they feel pressure at school, are upset over relationships, are sad or having difficulties at school or home.
Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if a teen is just overweight or obese because they are still growing and developing, this is why doctors and other health care professionals use different measurements to determine if a teen is overweight or obese.
Typically doctors consider a teen to be obese when the BMI number is higher than the BMI number of 95% of other teens of the same sex and age.
Typically doctors consider a teen to be overweight when the BMI number is between 85% and 95% of the BMIs of other teens of the same sex and age.
When a teen is obese they can have problems at school because of feeling fatigued and uncomfortable from carrying around all those extra pounds and also all that weight puts stress on the body (bones and joints). As the teen gets older they will be at an increased risk for developing diabetes and heart disease.
Obese teens can have serious health issues such as arthritis, Asthma, Blount’s disease, depression, fatty liver, gallstones, high blood pressure, Insulin resistance and diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), pseudotumor cerebri, and also slipped capital femoral epiphyses (SCFE).
The first step a teen should take is to see a doctor regarding any weight questions and for an assessment to determine if they are overweight or obese.
Despite the fact that children and teens have fewer weight-related health problems than adults do, they are at a higher risk for becoming obese adults. Adults and teens are at a higher risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and certain cancers.