The Health Effects of Obesity According to statistics approximately 15.3% of teenagers are overweight, a trend that will continue into their adult lives. There are a number of health problems that have been attributed to being overweight and unhealthy weight loss methods, all of which should be of great concern. It has also been shown that teenage girls are at a greater risk of turning to unhealthy alternatives in order to lose weight. In fact, studies have shown that teenage girls that go on a diet are more likely to start smoking to help suppress their appetites; this correlation does not exist in teenage boys whom are overweight. |
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This very addictive and unhealthy habit just adds to the slew of health problems that can plague them in their adult lives. The onset of increased obesity in adolescence is of great concern to the medical community. In 1998 there was a study conducted that indicated that obesity is the cause of more chronic medical conditions than for those that smoke or drink in excess. They are finding that diseases that traditionally effect patients much later on in life such as type II diabetes and other weight related illnesses are becoming more widespread among young adults.
Because of the pressure and extra stress that being overweight puts on our bodies these teens are at great risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, colon cancer, digestive problems, and heart disease. Other ailments that are attributed to obesity are heartburn and acid reflux disease. Most people out there are probably aware of the aforementioned adverse health effects of obesity but may be surprised to learn that back pain, osteoporosis, arthritis, and degenerative disc disease have also been attributed to being overweight.
Furthermore, obesity affects people’s ability to perform basic activities of daily living. Activates of daily living are defined as bathing, feeding oneself, being mobile (able to walk from point A to point B), and getting out of bed in the morning. An obese male is three hundred percent more likely to be impeded from performing these activities than a male of normal weight and the percentage is even higher for women. So you see, this is not simply about how we look, given these facts how we look should be the least of our concerns!
Importance of Thinking of the Future
Considering the statistics of the health effects of obesity it is very important for teens to realize there is a lot more to their lives than the here and now. Many teens feel that they are invincible and all knowing, but the fact is everything they do during these years is setting up the rest of their lives. The question is, do they want to live full, vibrant lives or do they want to be plagued by pain, disease or live a sedimentary lifestyle?
Helping teens to become aware of the consequences of their choices now is one way that we can encourage them to take steps toward making positive changes in their lives. If we can inspire them through encouragement, guidance, and sound advice it will make all of the difference in the world to their futures.
