Between 1980 and 2008, obesity among children in the United States ages 12 to 19 surged from 5 to 18.1 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your teen is likely to become obese if he has poor eating habits, is not very physically active or has a family history of obesity, low self-esteem or family problems. Obesity increases your teen’s risk of several serious health problems.
Cardiovascular Disease
Obese teens are more likely to have high cholesterol and high blood pressure, both of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In a study of children and teens ages 5 to 17 published in the “Journal of Pediatrics” in 2007, 70 percent of overweight youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Type 2 Diabetes
At one point, type 2 diabetes was considered an adult health problem, but no more. The rise in obesity in children and teens has significantly contributed to the rise in type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which your body does not produce enough insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it produces to control blood glucose levels. It can lead to complications such as nerve damage, vision problems, weight gain and foot problems.
Osteoarthritis
Being obese places extra pressure on weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees. Eventually, teens can develop osteoarthritis, which causes joint pain, stiffness and damage and interferes with your daily activities, such as walking or climbing stairs, and participating in sports. Osteoarthritis is also a degenerative condition and will become worse as your teen gets older.
Mental Health Problems
The effects of obesity on your teen aren’t just physical. Obesity can also lower your teen’s self-esteem. Obese teens may also develop disorders such as anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
How to Prevent Teen Obesity
If your teen is overweight, he doesn’t have to face a lifetime of health problems due to obesity. You can be the changing force that helps your child develop nutritious eating habits, an active lifestyle and a healthy relationship with food that will continue into adulthood. Consult your doctor before making any changes in your child’s diet or exercise plan, especially if he has other health conditions.
★Step 1
Cook at home. If you’re typically a fast-food family, your child may be learning her bad eating habits from you. Even if you’re short on time, it’s a wise investment to spend an hour every night cooking a nutritious meal for your family to eat together. By eating homemade food every night for dinner, you can ensure that your teen is eating at least seven healthy meals a week.
★Step 2
Make healthy versions of your teen’s favorite foods. If your teen loves lasagna, he doesn’t have to settle for a salad. Instead, modify your child’s favorite recipe by using whole-wheat lasagna noodles, skim milk and low-fat cheese.
★Step 3
Change your eating habits. You can’t expect your teen to make smart choices when you’re scarfing down potato chips. Set an example for your child by sticking to a healthy diet, even if you haven’t been so healthy in the past. Your teen may admire your effort to maintain a healthier lifestyle and follow in your footsteps.
★Step 4
Get active as a family. Ideally, your teen should get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Plan a family outing at least once a week where you do something active. Challenge your teen to a game of tennis, shoot hoops or go for a hike to burn calories while spending time together.
★ Step 5
Cook together. Instead of placing new and different foods in front of your teen and expecting her to eat them, prepare the meal together. When your teen has had a hand in preparing a healthy meal, she may be more likely to eat and enjoy it.
【Reference】
http://www.livestrong.com/article/338747-health-effects-of-teen-obesity/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/361332-how-to-prevent-teen-obesity/
