Monday, December 1, 2008

Teenage Obesity and Weight Loss, Dangers of Being Overweight

By Ricardo d Argence

Today nearly nine million teens under the age of 15 are obese, but since 1980 the number of obese teenagers has tripled. The rise in teen-age obesity is staggering. It is even more difficult for teens to be overweight due to health risks and social repercussions.

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 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.

Only recently have studies begun to show that asthma may have an obesity link. Severely overweight people the lungs under-expand leading to a narrowing of the airways. It has also been suggested that the low-grade systemic inflammation common in the obese, this inflammation can affect smooth muscle tissue and cause even more restriction of the airways.

It's difficult, but teens need to worry about their body's health and other things. Overweight teenagers often report that school is a horrifying experience for them. Other kids are cruel and say nasty things to them. Adding to the growing list of problems, overweight teens often become very withdrawn and suffer from depression due to their weight.

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.

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

To slowly introduce healthier choices in your diet, is the best plan. Three regular meals per day and two snacks. Throw away packaged foods in favor of home made. Beginning any meal with a small amount of food on your plate -remember they do not have to clean the plate!- and eating it in a slow, deliberate manner is the basis of "portion control." Eating several servings of fruits and vegetables will help you balance your diet. Sometimes the feeling of thirst can make us think we're hungry, drinking plenty of water and staying well hydrated is important and allows your body to function 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. - 16089

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