Research On Adolescent Obesity

Adolescent obesity is on the rise, based on the 2008 research gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. The CDC says that this problem is directly related to poor eating habits and lack of exercise. Obese adolescents are at a far greater risk of developing obesity-related diseases as they get older, such as heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

Statistics

According to 2009 statistics published by Trust for America's Health, a nonprofit health organization, none of the 50 states showed a decrease in the rate of childhood obesity that year. Over half of U.S. states have a childhood obesity rate at or above 30 percent, which is the highest rate ever. The state with the highest prevalence of adolescent obesity is Mississippi with 44.4 percent of children considered obese. Compared to 1980, childhood obesity rates as of 2009 have tripled.

BMI

A quick and easy way to determine whether you fall within the obese category is to determine your body mass index, or BMI. You can use an online BMI calculator to determine your BMI, such as the one at the Teens Health website. Your BMI is determined by factoring in your age, gender, height and weight. It then compares your information to other adolescents to determine where you fall on the BMI scale. As an adolescent, a healthy BMI score will vary depending on the previously mentioned factors, but generally a score of between 20 and 25 is considered within the healthy range.

Healthy Eating Guidelines

Poor diet is a major contributor to adolescent weight gain. Specifically, unhealthy snacks contribute empty calories to 83 percent of teen diets, according to 2005-06 statistics published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These snacks contribute to about 23 percent of teens' daily calorie intake, and often they are calories that offer little or no nutrition. Adolescents can maintain a healthy weight by eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean meats and healthier snack alternatives. Choose snacks low in added sugars, salt and trans-fats.

Exercise Recommendations

Sedentary lifestyle is also a big contributor to adolescent obesity. Playing video games, computer or watching too much TV can lead to weight gain over time. The CDC recommends that adolescents get at least 60 minutes of aerobic exercise each day, such as biking, playing sports or doing anything active. Additionally, children need to take part in muscle-strengthening activities at least three times per week, such as push-ups and crunches.