Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Weight Loss, How to Get Rid of Teenage Obesity

By Ricardo d Argence

In the last twenty years plus, the number of obese teenagers has tripled to almost nine million. The rise in teen-age obesity is staggering. Being overweight is difficult for anyone, but for teenagers the effects can be worse and include health problems and being entirely left out social scene.

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.

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 Often time's teenagers who are overweight will become withdrawn and depressed, adding another ailment to the growing list of concerns.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.

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.

Teenagers are getting less and less in the way of exercise. Increased television access, internet surfing and video games have made many a teenager almost sedentary. Take the television out of the bedroom and insist on viewing limits. Instead go for a walk as a family, or perhaps get bikes for everyone.

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. - 15485

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