Saturday, November 29, 2008

Teenage Obesity and Weight Loss, Dangers of Being Overweight

By Ricardo d Argence

Since 1980 the number of obese teenagers has tripled, today nearly nine million teens under the age of 15 are obese. The rise in teen-age obesity is staggering. Being overweight is hard enough but when you are a teenager it is even worse, there are health risks and social stigmatism.

Along with the rise in obesity numbers has been the rise in the number of children diagnosed with type two diabetes. This more severe form of diabetes used to only be seen in adults over the age of 40, lately research points to the increased obesity as the culprit. Type 2 diabetes can cause renal failure, blindness, and even death.

Sleep apnea causes those who have it to stop breathing for a brief time during sleep. People that are obese can suffer from sleep apnea, because it can cause breathing problems when lying down. The oxygen insufficiency which results may, depending on the circumstances, lead to major problems ranging from heart and brain damage to death.

Reasearch has recetnly shown that asthma could be related to obesity. In people who are severely overweight, the airways become narrowed due to the under-expansion of their lungs. It has been found that the obese have common low-quality general swelling, this irritations can cause restraints of the air passages when soft muscle tissue are affected.

Unfortunately teenagers have more to worry about than their physical health. School time can be a nightmare for the overweight teenager. Other kids are cruel and say nasty things to them. Often time's teenagers who are overweight will become withdrawn and depressed, adding another ailment to the growing list of concerns.

Teen eating habits can be attributed to obesity. Teens are known for their preference for junk food. There are alot of schools that no longer allow snack machines that contain unhealthy snacks. They have replaced them with juice, water, and healthy snacks.

To go one-step further the teenager should begin changing their diet at home. Stop eating the high calorie fast food they are so in love with and opt instead for healthy home cooked meals.

The best plan is to slowly introduce healthier choices in your diet. Three regular meals per day and two snacks. Throw away packaged foods in favor of home made. Portion control, start with a small amount on the plate, and eat slowly. Remember they do not have to clean the plate! Balance the diet, have several helpings of fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water, sometimes when we think we are hungry it is actually thirst, plus a well-hydrated body functions better.

In the way of exercise the teenagers are getting less and less. Due to all the increased activities that do no require physical activity, most teenagers do not get much exercise. Televisions should have viewing limits and should not be in the bedroom. Two great ideas for family exercise is walking or riding bikes.

If all else fails come up with some creative chores they can do to get some exercise. Mowing the lawn, raking leaves or shoveling snow are all good forms of exercise. Your goal is to get them moving no matter what it takes. - 15252

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