Teenage Obesity

Obesity is one of the leading causes of death in the world; in fact, it is responsible for 300,000 adolescent deaths each year. From 1980 to 2000 alone, teen obesity rates went up 10 percent. Although obesity does not seem like a big dilemma, it is a problem that’s growing every year, affecting children and their lives. Teenage obesity can result from many factors and prove hazardous to a person’s health, yet it is controllable with proper treatment and care.

Although there are many cases of teen obesity, not all of them are related. There are numerous origins behind being overweight. One of them is emotional difficulty. People who are overweight, especially females, tend to have very low self-esteem. When at a bottom point, low self-confidence can lead to depression. People who suffer from depression will often look to food for a source of relief; and more often, people will eat food full of carbohydrates, as stated in “Radical Diets Lead to Teen Obesity”. Obesity also greatly depends on dietary habits. Studies have shown that 26 percent of TV ads are commercials for junk food that affect children tremendously. Teens consume high fat and calorie products regularly. Eventually this leads to great weight gain that causes teens to look for a quick fix, more specifically, harsh dieting plans. These dietary regimens include: vomiting (also known as bulimia), skipping meals (anorexia when it is at a severe point), laxatives, etc. As if poor eating habits were not enough, over the years teens have become increasingly physically inactive. This is particularly due to the expanding technological advances of modern times. However, some reasons for obesity are involuntary. For example, a person can have an extensive history of overweight p...

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...zine articles and television ads without understanding that appearances are altered and modified. They take on false role models and assume all people should be a certain way. With this in mind, obesity should be overcome to remain in good physical condition and lead a healthy life, not to follow trends that can get out of control.

Someone that is overweight, in a sense, reflects what they eat, how they live, or what their family background is. If the problem is ignored, results can be detrimental or even terminal. Through appropriate conduct, a robust lifestyle can be established. For that reason, teenage obesity can be conquered. The more people are educated on the topic of adolescent obesity, the greater the movement to help those at risk will be. Hopefully, with this knowledge in mind, over the years statistics on adolescent obesity will change for the better.