Teen obesity refers to the problem of very overweight teenagers. Obesity for a teenager occurs when his or her body mass index (BMI) is more than 95 percent greater as compared to other teenagers of the same gender and age. A 15-year-old girl who is 5 feet, 4 inches (about 1.6 meters) tall would be obese once she hit 169 pounds (about 77 kilograms). A 15-year-old boy who is 5 feet, 8 inches tall (about 1.7 meters) would be obese at 179 pounds (about 81 kilograms).
The term "obese" is commonly used by doctors when a person's weight can negatively affect their health. Obesity can be caused by genetics and habits such as eating unhealthy food and not getting enough exercise. Consuming more calories than are burned results in an excess fat stored in the body.
Many health experts believe that teen obesity has become a serious problem. Seventeen percent of adolescents between ages 12 and 19 had a BMI of 95 percent or greater in 2006, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). There are even more overweight teens — teenagers with a BMI at or greater than 85 percent. The same data reports that 34 percent of 12- to 19-year-olds were overweight in 2006.
Teen obesity can lead to several health problems. Obese teens are at greater risk for developing health complications such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. If they remain obese into adulthood, these teens can also increase their chances of developing heart disease. Acquiring asthma, arthritis or sleep apnea is also more likely.
In addition, there can be many psychological effects of teen obesity. Some experts believe there is a strong link between obesity and self-identity. If obese teens are treated poorly or ignored by their peers, they may internalize those responses. This can lead to low self-esteem, loneliness, depression, and in the worst cases, suicidal ideation or behavior.
Health experts recommend several ways to curb teen obesity. The most common suggestions are eating balanced meals with enough fruit, vegetables and protein in addition to getting 60 minutes of exercise daily. Eating a good breakfast, watching portion sizes and avoiding empty calories in drinks such as soda can also help, according to some doctors.
Doctors typically suggest that teens avoid trying fad diets and instead learn how to make lifestyle changes. Some experts also recommend engaging the entire family in healthier habits to make the obese teen feel less alone. Parents can also avoid talking about healthy weight in terms of just "fat" and "thin" and instead relay that each person's ideal size is different.
