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Teen Obesity: 9 Million Tip Scales

By Tanya Christian
Contributing Reporter
Hampton University

     Today's teens are faced with challenges at every corner. Gang violence and drugs, relationships and sex, are just a few pressures that pervade the lives of our youth on a daily basis. While after school programs and educational talks are aimed at educating teens on very important issues such as sex and drugs, more is still to be done on informing this group on teen obesity.
      According to the Center for Disease Control, "Among children and teens ages 6-19, 15 percent (almost 9 million) are overweight." It is believed that this number will continue to increase.
Overeating, lack of exercise, and poor nutritional intake are some factors leading to this growing epidemic. While a good diet and exercise are often used to combat the problem, more and more, young teens are forced to seek other alternatives to lose the weight.
      The Weight Loss Surgery Center of Hampton Roads knows about the perils of teen obesity first hand, as they treat a small percentage of these patients at their facility.
       The YMCA of South Hampton Roads also recognizes the growing number of families dealing with health related issues such as obesity. On the YMCA official website, their 2005- 2008 Strategic Plan can be found. This document provides ways in which the charitable organization is working toward fighting teen obesity head on.
      In recent years, people have started to recognize that the problem facing our youth is a serious one that can only be fixed through total

Posted March 26, 2008

participation on the part of our communities. Schools, churches, community centers, and especially parents must join in on the fight.

    According to a recent Arizona State University study, parents can determine whether or not their children will be overweight. In fact, "when children grow up in families with bad eating habits and sedentary lifestyles dominated by television watching and video games, they are 33.3 percent more likely to become overweight or obese as young adults."
      The future for young teens battling obesity can be very discouraging.
Often times, these young people face battles with heart disease and diabetes amongst a list of other health conditions, and typically have trouble with mood changes, breathing, sleeping, and keeping high energy levels. In addition, overweight teens are generally more depressed and are less social.
      While the consequences of teen obesity are detrimental and can lead to a shorter life expectancy, there are many things that can be done to battle the problem.
      These include exercising regularly, sticking to a healthy diet, enrolling in school sports and intramurals, participating in fitness classes such as yoga, pilates, or kickboxing, and most importantly teens must love themselves enough to take proper care of their body.

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