Between 16 percent and 33 percent of children and teens are clinically obese, according to the American Academy of Childhood and Adolescent Psychiatry. Obese children and teens are more likely to become obese adults and encounter the health risks associated with being overweight. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that obesity among school-age children has tripled in the past 30 years, making it a major health concern.
What is Obesity?
For children and adolescents ages 2 to 19, the CDC uses the body mass index (BMI) value on growth charts. The index defines overweight as having a BMI rating between the 85th percentile and the 95th percentile, and obese as having a BMI at or above the 95th percentile as other children of the same sex and age. These definitions differ from the definitions of obesity for adults because they are age and sex specific.
Causes
Obesity in young teens can have many causes. But at the most basic level, the teen takes in more calories than he uses. There might be a genetic cause for obesity, but according to the CDC, this is not enough to account for the rapid increase of childhood and adolescent obesity in the United States. Other factors that lead to obesity include poor eating habits, lack of physical activity, a family history of obesity, medications, stressful life events, low self-esteem and emotional problems. Obesity among young adolescents likely arises from a mix of environmental, behavioral and genetic factors.
Effects
Several health problems are related to obesity in young teens. There is an association between obesity and asthma, sleep apnea and Type 2 diabetes. They are also more likely to have high cholesterol, high blood pressure and an abnormal glucose tolerance, all of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Later consequences include gallbladder disease, various cancers and osteoarthritis. Depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder in these teens is also seen, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Prevention/Solution
Managing obesity in young adolescents consists of a multi-pronged approach. Portion control, increasing physical activity, limiting snacking, attending support groups and starting a weight-management program are all steps that can be done. A psychiatrist who specializes in adolescents and obesity issues might also be helpful. Often, obesity is a lifelong issue that needs continuous management.
Considerations
Another factor that likely plays a role in the growing number of obese people is the increase in portion sizes by restaurants and fast food chains. It was found that between the 1950s and 2003, portion sizes increased dramatically. Pasta serving sizes doubled from 1.5 oz to 3 oz; a muffin increased in size from 3 oz. to 6.5 oz.; and a fountain soda went from 7 oz. to 12 to 64 oz. In a society that is filled with larger portion sizes and more food choices, it can be hard to gauge what healthful eating is.
Children also are more sedentary than ever. Using computers, video games and watching television has displaced outdoor and physical activity. Among children 8 to 18 years of age, it was found that they spend a little more than three hours a day watching television or playing video games. School physical education participation has dropped 14 percent among adolescents.
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