How to Deal with Teenage Obesity?

Youngsters like to look slim and trim. For a teenage girl her figure matters a lot. For a boy, he would like to flaunt around his muscles. Naturally, being over weight is not something they would like to be. Yet, teenage obesity, particularly in the US has become a major problem. Food habits have changed and youngsters prefer to go in for fast foods, rather than cook a meal at home. They watch too much of television at home and lack necessary exercise. Psychological problems have been on the increase. They become obese in case they are depressed and lonely.

Teenage health is of much concern to authorities as they are the future of tomorrow. Much awareness needs to be generated to make them realize that they need to take care of themselves and their health. What are the causes of teenage obesity? And how it affects their health? These questions need to be answered to understand and appreciate the gravity of the problem.

Causes of Teenage Obesity

• Due to increased emotional problems teenagers tend to eat more. In case, they have a bad love affair, or if their self-esteem is low, or they do not perform well at school, they undergo depression and tend to overeat.
• Modern lifestyles have changed the food habits of teenagers. They have no time to cook a meal. They virtually live off a MacDonald’s burger, coke and chips.
• Less physical activity. They spend more time watching T.V or playing video games on the computer. They lead a sedentary lifestyle. While watching they eat their favorite fast food and tend to put on weight.
• Many teenagers come from broken families and suffer from psychological problems. This also results in obesity.
• Too much partying also results in weight gain.
• Teenagers consume alcohol beverages, which contain a lot of calories.
• Wrong choices of food. Teenagers tend to eat food high in calories, which perhaps lack in necessary vitamins and minerals for healthy physical and mental growth.
• Parents are so busy, they do not have the time to spend with their children.

How to cope up with Teenage Obesity

• Parents need to take time out and discuss matters with their teenaged children. They should listen to their problems and also deal with their obesity.
• More awareness should be created about fast foods and their effect on teenagers’ health.
• Schools need to encourage obese teenagers to be more physically active.
• More parks should be constructed for children to play and exercise.
• Parents need to harmonize their relationships to promote more happiness in their family life.
• T.V. watching and playing video games on computer should be regulated.
• More families get-together need to be organized and parents should encourage teenagers to have lunches and dinners with them. Teenagers need to be encouraged to take homemade food.
• Exercise need to be full of fun, for teenagers to indulge in it on a regular basis.

Teenagers who are obese need to slim down. They need to exercise more and avoid leading a sedentary life. Parents need to spend more time with them. The authorities, be it the Government or school need to tackle the problem of obesity at grass root level.