Being a teen can be one of the toughest times of your life. Because you are discovering that you are no longer a child and are slowly turning into an adult. This is a time when many feel they need to look a certain way. If you are struggling with weight loss to try to look better and fit in, you may experience a low self-image as a result.

But try to look beyond what others think and even about how you feel about your appearance. Being overweight is a big health concern. It affects you physically.

Think About Your Health

The biggest obesity fact is that this is a medical concern, because it can affect your body in many different ways. These aren’t conditions that will just go away with a dose of antibiotics either. These are physical conditions that can affect your lifestyle. Some conditions can stay with you for the rest of your life.

Facts about child obesity are that most of the health issues surround the joints and can affect moods, sleeping and energy. These are usually direct symptoms of conditions or illnesses.

Below are some of the physical ailments that can be a direct result of teen obesity:

Arthritis
Asthma
Depression
Diabetes and Insulin Resistance
Fatty Liver
Gallstones
High Blood Pressure
High Cholesterol
Sleep Apnea

The good news is that because you are still young, you can beat this.

The fact is that you are taking in more calories than you can burn off. So those calories will turn into fat in the body. A little bit of extra weight is okay, it’s when that little bit turns into a lot and then it becomes a grave concern.

You can overcome this with good old-fashioned healthy eating and exercise. It’s always smart to see your doctor before starting any dietary changes or exercise program, especially if you suffer from any of the above ailments. In fact, your doctor could point you in the right direction in managing your weight.

The key is to eat healthy foods. Unlike in the past when you had to eat rabbit food and starve yourself, today’s meal plans can be very satisfying. The key is to stick with it and develop a healthy routine.

Short term effects of obesity

When we talk about obesity, this means having a body mass index of 30 or higher. Having higher body mass index would make a person suffer different consequences. These are considered as the short term results of obesity:

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

Difficulty standing and walking

Problems with breathing during sleep as well as difficulty sleeping

Increase in the need for c-section deliveries

Gestational diabetes in pregnant women

Fertility issues including a reduction in ovulation

Problems with breathing during sleep as well as difficulty sleeping

Long term effects of obesity

Truly, the short term effects of obesity are not desirable. However, it doesn’t stop from the short term effects because there are long term consequences of obesity and these long term effects are generally serious. Over time, obese individuals are at risk for developing the following health conditions:

Stroke

Hypertension

Cardiovascular disease

Sleep apnea

Osteoarthritis

Type II diabetes

Cancer

Aside from these long term effects, pregnant women who are obese are also subjected to long term health conditions for their unborn babies. Pregnant women who are obese at the same time are at risk for miscarriage. Aside from that, birth defects such as Spina Bifida are also possible. This is the reason why it is very risky for an obese woman to get pregnant.

Some of the possible solutions and treatment

Even though genetics and medical conditions have a significant role in obesity, diet and lack of exercise are generally the main causes of obesity. Good thing, diet and exercise are factors that can be controlled or modified. You only need motivation in order to succeed in your weight loss goals.

It has been perceived that young children who are obese will grow out of it or they are just carrying “baby fat”. In some cases this is true and they do grow out of it, but what if they don’t. It’s a known fact that kids can be mean and bully. Children who are teased about their weight are more apt to have poor body image, low self-esteem, and symptoms of depression. Everyone wants to have friends but sometimes the obese teen feels isolated and lonely. Their self esteem is low and they use food as their comfort zone, which is usually high in fat, sugar, and calories. The isolation makes them less active so exercise is compromised. Because of peer pressure the psychological effects of teen obesity affects their overall health which can lead to more serious medical problems. The teen years are all about growing up, being more independent, and socialization. Peer pressure in teenagers is a major issue whether they have a weight problem or not , which is why teasing obese teens can be psychologically devastating.

Peer pressure is the hub of the psychological effects of teen obesity. The spin off is problems in school and missing too much school. Obese teens are absent from school more often than non obese teens. Some will miss school or skip classes to avoid ridicule and others due to medical complications associated with being obese. Behavioral and learning problems develop because they feel depressed and socially unaccepted . Obese teens have an equal right to education as non obese teens but the taunting effects them emotionally and it’s easier to avoid than confront. They are missing out on their education because of the psychological effects of teen obesity.

It appears clear that the psychological effects of teen obesity have the potential to be carried into adulthood. Including in some cases anxiety and obsessive compulsive behavior. An alarming number of obese teens grow up to be obese adults, although it doesn’t have to be this way. Once the weight problem is cured and their physical appearance has improved; their self esteem and body image will be restored. We must be careful not to ignore the psychological effects of teen obesity that they may still have bottled up inside.

Triggers To Watch For

Your obese teen has less energy or interests and is hesitant to participate in social relationships or other activities;
Your obese teen appears increasingly sad, lonely, angry or withdrawn.
Your obese teen has few friends.
Your obese teen has thoughts of causing harm to him/herself or others.
Your obese teen is obsessed with eating.
Your obese teen sleeps too much or not enough.
Your obese teen is reluctant to go to school.

There are steps that parents can do to help ease the psychological stress that results from teen obesity. Engage your teen in open dialog about their eating habits . Many times teens over eat because they are depressed. Openly communicating with your obese child about the problem will allow you to work a plan that is attainable. The good news is with proper nutrition, exercise, and a real good diet plan teens can overcome obesity and live a full normal life.

First of all, if you are overweight you are putting stress on your joints and bones more than they could sustain which is not really good for them. It could lead you to high risk of developing arthritis in the long run. The more heavier you are the lesser your activity could be and there are more chances of weight gain.

Excess body weight could also lead to apnea, the cessation of your breathing during sleep. Due to apnea you might be deprived of quality sleep required for your good health. High blood pressure and even stroke may arise from being obese.

Obesity has posed such a problem around the globe that some states in Australia have been forced to buy super-size ambulance to accommodate the patients who cannot fit inside a normal ambulance. It has been reported that more than half adult American are hit by obesity and one in five children are overweight. Child obesity results mostly due to failure of parents to put a curb on unhealthy eating habits of their ward.

There is a lot of misconception about diet pills being as magic pills. Many obese people are unaware of the harmful effects they pose.

With education, children and adults are knowledgeable about their health, their physical and mental abilities. These factors play an important role in diverting children away from obesity. It does not mean that educated children are healthy and unhealthy children are uneducated. It simply implies that the better educated we are, the healthier we can be and less likely we are to become obese. High quality education and college degree education is very significant to be aware in childhood obesity education.

Childhood obesity can be addressed in multiple ways. Government action is very essential which promotes equal opportunities for both the children and the family regardless of the demographics. Government should provide a fair treatment to their people regardless of their status and condition in the society, it is their duty, and they are the main agent in giving solutions to the problems of its people more particularly the young ones. Childhood obesity education begins with the parents, the behaviors of the parents affects the behaviors of its children. Education starts from the way their parents discipline their children. Good knowledge of parents regarding the proper nutrition’s that they should offer to their children to avoid childhood obesity. The government should also provide physical activities for the obese children as well as information dissemination regarding obesity. It should include how to avoid obesity, what are the causes and its harmful effects. So as to the parents must be well informed, since they are the ones in direct contact with the child, and has direct authority and capacity to do so.

As poor education is pointed to be a caused of poor health, the American government should address this problem. The educational system should be improved; healthcare should be very accessible to every American regardless of the demographics. Poverty which is prevalent in a first world country like the United States of America should be of utmost concern of the government. Poverty poses a lot of disadvantages to the members of this bracket especially the children with very little knowledge about nutrition.

There are two main classes of impediments to your children being able to play as children were designed to:

1) Electronic games, television, and computers and,
2) Your reluctance to allow them to do so.

Let’s examine both of these obstacles to your children’s health and well being.

Television And Computer Hazards

There are 41 studies showing a relationship between television viewing and an unhealthy body mass index listed on the Center of Weight and Health website from the college of Natural Resources School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley.

These studies are a real eye opener!

Joey Shulman, DC, RNCP points out in an article on children’s television viewing habits that the Department Of Education found children in the U.S. watch television from three to five hours per day. That’s valuable time they could be outside playing.

But television is so educational for the children, right?

Wrong.

Healy reports that children do not learn from Sesame Street.

She elaborates on the reasons why learning does not occur in the chapter entitled, “Sesame Street and the Death of Reading” found in her book, Endangered Minds. It may do you well to get her book and acquire a full understanding of the dynamics of television viewing and its effects on your child.

Television Is Detrimental To Health

Encouraging children to watch television, use the computer, or play video games instead of participating in more wholesome and beneficial activities is your choice as an adult. You may be unknowingly encouraging them to be sedentary by supplying these electronic appliances and games instead of encouraging your children to use their imagination while playing at physically demanding activities.

In adults, it was found that the more time wasted watching television, videos, or using a computer led to an increased incidence of them suffering from metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by insulin resistance, hypertension (high blood pressure), abnormal blood clotting, high triglycerides, and elevated LDL levels (bad cholesterol) accompanied by low HDL levels (good cholesterol).

Your television and computer really are killing you!

The researchers surmised that if the adults in this study had turned off the TV or computer, and spent that time doing physical activities, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome would decrease.

Health hindering situations such as these plague children who lead sedentary lifestyles.

For example, one study found that the rapid growth found in early childhood is slowed if physical activity is restricted.

Other researchers found that preschool girls who watched large amounts of television had lower bone density.

That’s in preschool girls!

We’re not talking about post-menopausal women having their bones soften. This occurs in young girls.

What will happen to these girls when they get older?

Exercise Benefits

The Centers for Disease Control outlined the benefits of regular physical activity for children.

Those benefits include:

1) Builds healthy bones, muscles, and joints.
2) Improves strength and physical endurance.
3) Helps control weight, builds lean muscle mass, and reduces body fat.
4) Improves cholesterol levels.
5) Improves blood pressure levels.
6) Reduces anxiety and stress.
7) Increases energy levels.
Promotes overall health.

If there are so many detrimental aspects to television viewing, especially for children, are you asking yourself why your kids are still allowed, and maybe even encouraged, to watch TV or play video games?

Encourage Outdoor Playing

There is only so much free time in a day for children to play outside. It is imperative they use that limited time for constructive activity.

In other words, it may not be what the children are doing (watching television or playing games on the computer) but rather, what they are not doing. There is not enough time in a day to watch TV for hours then play outside.

It must be one or the other.

Nearly half the adolescents aged 12 to 21 years old do not have vigorous exercise on a regular basis.

In one study vigorous exercise was defined as performing twenty minutes of exercise three times a week. It’s really sad when young people aren’t getting even this small amount of activity.

Make Exercise A Fun Family Activity

The most successful way to make healthful changes in your family’s activity levels is to make it fun.

Going to the gym is not fun. Kids won’t do it. Heck, most adults won’t do it for the long term. Just witness the huge rise in enrollment at gyms after the New Year and the lack of bodies in those gyms during March.

So what you should do is establish “life long” activities with your family.

Children can play soccer, softball, baseball, football, track, etc. but parents need a sport the family can do together at any age.

All members of the family can enjoy lifetime physical activities such as dancing, walking, hiking, swimming, or bicycling. Remember, the idea is fun, not exercise. The exercise comes along with the fun.

After everyone becomes a little more capable of participating in physical endeavors you can try more vigorous activities such as skiing, skating, jogging, strength training, or brisk hiking in rough country.

If the kids want to start an energetic sport Mom and Dad might not be able to physically perform let them do it. Mom and Dad can cheer from the sidelines.

Obesity affects various systems in the human body when in an aggravated condition. Adverse effects of obesity can be seen in humans. The following are:

Cardiovascular Problems:

Since there is a direct link between the accumulation of fat in the body and the blood and heart systems, various problems can be created. High blood pressure is one of commonest problems, usually caused by obesity. High cholesterol and atherosclerosis (blockage of the arteries) are some other commonly seen problems in obese people. Also, due to inflammation of arteries, the blood supply to the heart may also be reduced thereby creating a greater risk of heart failure. In fact, more than 12% of congestive heart failure cases are caused due to obesity.

Endocrine and Reproductive Problems:
The presence of extra fat in the body also hampers the production of many hormones. This happens due to presence of cells which impair the production of some hormones. Since the abdominal fat present in the patient impairs the production of insulin digesting cells, it is said to cause Diabetes mellitus type 2. Also, other problems like polycystic ovarian syndrome, menstrual disorders, infertility, etc. are known to occur in the reproductive system. Even in pregnancy, complications may occur which may also lead to birth defects in the baby.

Cancer:
Medical researchers have not been able to pinpoint the exact cause of this finding but it has already been established that being obese increases the risk of cancer to a great extent, especially in women. Chances of developing colon cancer, including other types of cancers like breast cancer, oesophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, gall bladder cancer, etc are also found to be common in obese women. In addition, one can develop stomach, prostate gland, endometrial, ovarian or cancer of the cervix. Obese people need to take special care of their kidneys.

Neurological Problems:
Neurological problems are not a direct effect of increased body fat. Since obesity can cause problems like hypertension and diabetes which reduce the blood flow to the heart and the brain, there are various problems that may occur. Strokes may also occur due to lower blood flow to the brain, potentially causing impairment. Due to improper functioning of the brain, other problems like dementia, headache, meralgia paresthetica (pain in outer thigh due to injury to nerve), carpal tunnel syndrome and idiopathic intracranial hypertension can also crop up.

Musculoskeletal Problems:
Obesity can also cause a great stress on the human skeletal system. Since the bones and the skeletal frame have to bear far more body weight, it can be stressed out which causes problems like osteoarthritis. Lower back pain is also caused as an indirect effect of obesity, osteoarthritis and diabetes. Gout may also develop due to accumulation of uric acid in the joints, usually the big toe of the foot. This condition causes a great, unbearable pain.

Respiratory Problems:
Obesity causes the tissues to become soft and the muscle tone to become reduced around the airways, problems can arise in the respiratory system too, the commonest being obstructive sleep apnea. In addition, obesity hypoventilation syndrome is an extended form since the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs decreases. Asthma, another ailment can also occur because of obesity.

Gastrointestinal Problems:
Obesity causes problems like gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in which there is heartburn due to a reflux that is caused by mucosal damage in the oesophagus. Fatty inflammation of the liver is also an outcome. In addition, formation of stones in the gall bladder and hernia can also occur in obese people.

Genitourinary Problems:
Due to obesity, the development and the functioning of the genital organs can be affected to a great extent. Urinary incontinence, chronic renal failure with slow loss of kidney function, hypogonadism (improper functioning of sexual organs in males and females) and erectile dysfunction or impotence, can be caused as a result of obesity.

Psychological Problems:
Obesity causes a lot of psychological problems in patients as they have to face a lot of social stigma due to their appearance. This can lead to depression and low self esteem. Body dysmorphic disorder or too much botheration about body parts also causes a lot of stress and social isolation. In some adverse cases of psychological pressures, people may even commit suicide.

Skin Problems:
Though not really fatal, obesity also causes various skin problems in the patients like stretch marks, Acanthosis (hyper-pigmentation of the skin in folds), Lymphedema or fluid retention in various body parts, including Cellulitis, carbuncle or intertrigo.

Obesity is the state of being gravely overweight – to a point that affects your health.

Obesity in childhood is linked to many health difficulties and tends to indicate that the child will be obese as an adult. It is very worrying as childhood obesity is increasing at an alarming rate. The number of overweight children worldwide is increasing so fast the National Health Service has been pushed to its limits to cope with the added strain.

Obesity causes:

Obesity and overweight are caused by two simple factors – an unwholesome diet (characteristically too rich in sugar and fats and without an adequate amount of fibre and carbohydrate) and not doing enough exercise to burn off the calories consumed. This allows body fat as well as belly fat to accumulate.

Occasionally there are other factors. For example, in an uncommon genetic condition called Prader -Willi Syndrome there maybe problems with controlling hunger.

The effects of obesity include trouble with the joints and bones (such as slipped femoral epiphysis and bow legs), a state called benign intracranial hypertension that produces headaches and affects vision, hypo-ventilation (leading to drowsiness during the day, snoring and even heart failure), gall bladder disease, poly cystic ovary syndrome, high blood pressure, and high levels of blood fats.

Obesity increases the danger of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. This is usually a disease seen in later life in adults but there is an increasing trend for children in their teens to present with this disease as a result of being obese. There are also marked psychological effects, leading to low self-esteem.

In the UK, around 27 per cent of children are now overweight, and research suggests the main problem is the continual decline in the amount of exercise children take. Many overweight children have overweight parents – it’s often a matter of family lifestyles.

A child’s body mass index (BMI) is calculated using the same process as for adults – weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Avoid using adult BMI to determine whether a child is overweight or obese. Specific age-adjusted charts are essential.

A lifestyle that involves little physical exercise and excessive inactivity, particularly television viewing, will cause childhood obesity. There are two things going against kids. One is that they have a plentiful supply of food which often tends to be high in calories and full of fat and sugar; two, a lack of physical exercise.

Children have also experienced an explosion in visual media that provides the stimulation that earlier generations found from physical exercise such as football, athletics or just playing outdoors with other kids.

One major factor in childhood obesity is that many schools have phased out mandatory physical education. This means kids never get told of the importance of physical activities.

Parents must take a more active role by encouraging their children to remain active and telling them why it is so important for health reasons. Activity does not need to be structured, as in sports, but can be something that keeps you exercising and burning calories such as bike riding, walking, swimming or gardening.

Picture in your mind a grave, and standing by that grave is a set of parents mourning the passing of their son or daughter due to obesity. Very sad, and yet it is becoming more common every day. The menace of obesity is striking worldwide. Don’t let it affect you.

Obesity is not only a leading health problem, but a serious health hazard that needs to be tackled immediately before it starts creating more serious problems in your life. The increase in weight brings an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer and shorter life expectancy. The risks of obesity are immense. Making people aware of these dangers helps prevent obesity by controlling the basic factors that lead to it. By adopting the required preventive measures, obese people can retain their health and live a long enjoyable life.

Here is an overview of the main dangers of obesity:

*Heart disease and strokes are the main causes of disability among people and can even turn life threatening at times. Obese people are at higher risk of heart failure, heart attack and stroke.

*Obesity can also lead to diabetes. This illness reduces the ability of the body to control the sugar levels in the blood. Diabetes is dangerous as it can damage organs and cause death. Thus, eating foods that help keep the blood sugar levels normal is essential. Otherwise you may end up suffering from diabetes and fail to live a healthy life, as diabetic people have low immunity and develop health problems quickly.

*Obese women are at higher risk of gall bladder cancer, ovarian cancer and breast cancer. Obese men are more likely to develop colorectal and prostate cancer than those males with normal weight. These are the possible dangers that overweight women and men face. Researchers suggest that the presence of more fat in the body results in hormonal imbalances that may lead to cancer. The important thing is that by losing weight, you can reduce your risk of cancer.

*Overweight people exert additional pressure on their knees and lower back joints. This results in the thinning of the cartilage. In turn, these people are at higher risk of suffering from osteoarthritis.

*Obesity may also cause breathing problems. These end up affecting the sleeping pattern of the individual. Overweight people are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea. They might snore heavily and stop breathing for short periods during the night.

*Arteriosclerosis is another danger of obesity. It is a result from the increase in the cholesterol levels in the arterial blood vessels. As the cholesterol builds up, plaque is formed inside the arteries. They become narrower and harder. In this way, the blood flow gets disrupted and forces your heart to pump harder increasing your blood pressure. The heart muscle is affected as well. In turn, you are more likely to suffer from heart failure and a heart attack.

*The problems associated with obesity get worse with time because as you age, your metabolism slows down. You also start to lose one pound of lean muscle each year due to inactivity. The possible dangers of obesity leading from heart diseases to cancer become more serious with time. So, it is better for you to take control over the situation and try to adopt good eating habits and adopt an active lifestyle to stay fit and healthy and cut down your body fat.

*Obesity leads to silent diseases, such as high blood pressure, which may go undiagnosed for a long time. So, it’s always better to stay healthy and fit to enjoy a prosperous, healthy and long life.

It has been perceived that young children who are obese will grow out of it or they are just carrying “baby fat”. In some cases this is true and they do grow out of it, but what if they don’t. It’s a known fact that kids can be mean and bully. Children who are teased about their weight are more apt to have poor body image, low self-esteem, and symptoms of depression. Everyone wants to have friends but sometimes the obese teen feels isolated and lonely. Their self esteem is low and they use food as their comfort zone, which is usually high in fat, sugar, and calories. The isolation makes them less active so exercise is compromised. Because of peer pressure the psychological effects of teen obesity affects their overall health which can lead to more serious medical problems. The teen years are all about growing up, being more independent, and socialization. Peer pressure in teenagers is a major issue whether they have a weight problem or not , which is why teasing obese teens can be psychologically devastating.

Peer pressure is the hub of the psychological effects of teen obesity. The spin off is problems in school and missing too much school. Obese teens are absent from school more often than non obese teens. Some will miss school or skip classes to avoid ridicule and others due to medical complications associated with being obese. Behavioral and learning problems develop because they feel depressed and socially unaccepted . Obese teens have an equal right to education as non obese teens but the taunting effects them emotionally and it’s easier to avoid than confront. They are missing out on their education because of the psychological effects of teen obesity.

It appears clear that the psychological effects of teen obesity have the potential to be carried into adulthood. Including in some cases anxiety and obsessive compulsive behavior. An alarming number of obese teens grow up to be obese adults, although it doesn’t have to be this way. Once the weight problem is cured and their physical appearance has improved; their self esteem and body image will be restored. We must be careful not to ignore the psychological effects of teen obesity that they may still have bottled up inside.

Triggers To Watch For

Your obese teen has less energy or interests and is hesitant to participate in social relationships or other activities;
Your obese teen appears increasingly sad, lonely, angry or withdrawn.
Your obese teen has few friends.
Your obese teen has thoughts of causing harm to him/herself or others.
Your obese teen is obsessed with eating.
Your obese teen sleeps too much or not enough.
Your obese teen is reluctant to go to school.

There are steps that parents can do to help ease the psychological stress that results from teen obesity. Engage your teen in open dialog about their eating habits . Many times teens over eat because they are depressed. Openly communicating with your obese child about the problem will allow you to work a plan that is attainable. The good news is with proper nutrition, exercise, and a real good diet plan teens can overcome obesity and live a full normal life.