Thursday, December 4, 2008

Teenage Obesity and Weight Loss, Dangers of Being Overweight

By Ricardo d Argence

In the last twenty years plus, the number of obese teenagers has tripled to almost nine million. The rise in teen-age obesity is staggering. Being overweight is difficult for anyone, but for teenagers the effects can be worse and include health problems and being entirely left out social scene.

Obesity is increasing as is the amount of kids with diabetes. In the past, this more severe form of diabetes was only seen in adults over 40, but current research shows the increasing obesity rate to be the real culprit. Type 2 diabetes can cause renal failure, blindness, and even death.

Sleep apnea is a disorder in which the sufferer quits breathing for short periods while sleeping. When a person is obese, there is little muscle tone around the airway and this can lead to sleep apnea. The resulting oxygen deficiencies can cause major medical problems, like brain damage, heart problems, and death.

Asthma may have an obesity link are the sudies that begun to show only recently. In cases of severe obesity the lungs cannot properly expand causing constriction of the airways. Also, its been suggested that the low grade systematic inflammation common in obese, this inflammation can affect smooth muscle tissue and cause more restriction of the airways.

It is noticeable that most of the teenagers of today are not after of their physical health but rather on something that could make them happy and fell comfortable. The overweight teen may have an awful experience at school. Other kids are cruel and say nasty things to them. It is a bad thing that overweight teenagers also suffer from mental issues due to their weight that is another concern enitrely.

Teen's eating habits are a big factor in obesity of that age group. Teens are known for their preference for junk food. Vending machines containing junk food have been removed in many school districts. They have replaced them with juice, water, and healthy snacks.

In order for the teenager to go one-step further, they must begin to change their diet at home. Healthy home cooked meals need to replace the high caloric fast foods they so love.

A great idea is to plan your diet choices to be slowly added to your regular diet. Three regular meals per day and two snacks. Throw away packaged foods in favor of home made. Placing a little amounts of food on your plate and eating them slowly -remember they do not have to clean the plate!- is referred as portion control. You should include several servings of fruits and vegetables to ensure that you are consuming a balanced and healthy diet. You should drink alot of water because somtimes when we think we are hungry we are actually thirsty, and alot of water is very healthy.

Teenagers are getting less and less in the way of exercise. Increased television access, internet surfing and video games have made many a teenager almost sedentary. Take the television out of the bedroom and insist on viewing limits. Instead go for a walk as a family, or perhaps get bikes for everyone.

You could even do your housework in a way that you could get some exercise while doing them. Providing movement is your aim no matter what is necessary. - 16463

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