According tot he American Obesity Association approximately 30.4% of teens are overweight and 15.5% of teens are considered obese. This means that about half of all teens are at risk of developing health problems that are weight related. Teen body image can be greatly affected by obesity.
Parents are more concerned than ever about their teens and their weight. According to the Association of Obesity 12 percent of parents feel that their child is overweight, 78 percent feel that Physical Education should be in the school schedule, 27 percent feel that kids eat less healthy than in years past, and 24 percent of parents feel that teens get less and less physical activity.
There are so many reasons for the increase in teen obesity. Kids have access to more "junk foods" and convenience foods than ever before. More towns have fast food restaurants and more families have two working parents where picking up dinner from a drive-thru is the norm in life. Soda and other sugar drinks (even energy drinks) are loaded in calories and often the first choice of drink for teens. Due to television and video games more children spend more time being sedentary than being physically active.
The health risks of obesity for teens are just as critical as those for adults. The number of children with Type 2 Diabetes is growing at an alarming rate. More children have asthma, joint problems, arthritis, sleep disorders, high blood pressure and heart disease. A teen's mental health can also be affected by their weight creating self esteem issues, and even depression.
One of the best ways for families of all teens and children of all ages to prevent obesity and promote a healthy lifestyle is to exercise together. Even a bike ride or walk around your neighborhood each night. Playing sports together on your front lawn and just being active in general can make all the difference. This combined with trying to promote healthier eating, and a nutritional diet at as early an age as possible will give a child the best odds of not having the challenge of obesity.
