As more and more teenagers are being classified as overweight and obese, many parents are looking to fast food as a possible cause. According to Medline Plus, the percentage of children and teenagers who are overweight has more than doubled in the past 30 years, a trend that seems parallel with the growth of the fast food industry. While there are a number of factors that determine a person's body weight -- such as genetics and activity level -- the high fat, calories and sodium content of fast food can be a significant obstacle to your teen's weight loss goals.
Effects of Fast Food
The high fat and calorie content of fast food can make it easy for individuals to consume all of the calories they need in an entire day in a single meal. According to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, a McDonald's Double Quarter Pounder hamburger without fries or a drink can provide 730 calories, 40 grams of fat and 1,330 milligrams of sodium. When combined with a 590-calorie order of French fries and a 1,330-calorie milk shake, it is easy to see how even infrequent visits to fast food restaurants can add to the amount of calories and fat a teenager consumes on a regular basis.
Teen Obesity
According to Medline Plus, 17 percent of American children between the ages of 2 and 19 are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. Overweight teens are increasingly at risk of health conditions and diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, asthma and some types of cancer. While diet plays a heavy role in the accumulation of body fat, inactivity can be equally devastating to the body's ability to burn calories and maintain a normal body weight.
Your Body Mass Index
While not entirely perfect, the body mass index formula is a traditional method for classifying overweight and obese individuals. Individuals determining their BMI can use automated calculators such as the kind available on the Mayo Clinic website to determine their BMI. According to the National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute, individuals are considered overweight if their BMI is between 25 to 29.9 and obese if their BMI exceeds 30.
Taking Action
A variety of weight management options are available for teenagers whose BMI is 30 or over. Avoid the disease and health problems associated with obesity by adopting a healthy diet and exercise regimen that cuts out fast foods altogether. Replace unhealthy foods such as fast food burgers and French fries with a diet of whole grains, leafy greens and lean meats. Calculate the number of calories you take in each day and compare it with the amount of calories you burn off in daily aerobic exercises such as swimming, jogging or hiking. Talk to your doctor about ways to fight obesity and inquire as to the best weight loss strategy for your body.
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