Impact of Obesity on Youth

Obesity used to be looked at as only an adult issue, but with the rising statistics of overweight kids, this is a far greater problem than imagined. The fact that more kids today are having radical gastric bypass surgery only reinforces the necessity to explore this issue. Schools often serve as the scapegoat because of their documented unhealthy offering of food choices. Yet parents can set bad examples themselves by indulging in junk food and failing to closely monitor their child's eating habits. At such impressionable years such as the tweenage ones, the responsibility for maintaing healthy lifestyles for our kids is a collaborative effort.

Causes of Obesity in Youth:

There are many reasons for the increase in adolescent obesity one particular reason is the world that we live in. Technologically we have advanced and gurus are always trying to find ways of simplifying our lives. The problem is that because of the almighty dollar some of the technological advances are targeting our youth. Video games, computers, and big screen television sets have all contributed to sedentary lifestyles. The lure and excitement of these gadgets also come at a price with advertising. Particularly the internet and social networking which entices adolescence with free ring tones and other offers to gain access to an e-mail address. The result is e-mail marketing for convenience foods and fast foods that are high in fat and calories. The most common cause, of course, is eating too many calories and not getting enough exercise.

Psychological Effects of Teen Obesity:

1. Your obese teen has less energy or interests and is hesitant to participate in social relationships or other activities;

2. Your obese teen appears increasingly sad, lonely, angry or withdrawn.

3. Your obese teen has few friends.

4. Your obese teen has thoughts of causing harm to him/herself or others.

5. Your obese teen is obsessed with eating.

6. Your obese teen sleeps too much or not enough.

7. Your obese teen is reluctant to go to school.

Look at the following guidelines;

• Try to avoid, or at least cut down by 75% on 'High-Fat Foods' like chocolate, biscuits, cakes and crisps.

• Try healthier alternatives such as fresh fruit, crusty bread or crackers. When I have a sugar craving I have a teaspoon of unrefined honey.

• Try to grill or bake foods instead of frying. Fresh beef burgers, fish fingers and sausages are just as tasty when grilled, but have a lower fat content. (Did you know that oven chips are lower in fat than pan fried chips?)

• Try to avoid fizzy drinks, which tend to be high in sugar. Change them with fresh juices diluted with water or sugar-free alternatives which are yummy.

• Try a healthy breakfast of porridge oats made with water or low fat milk with fruit or compote on top. It is a good start to the day which I enjoy.

• Try to encourage your children to eat dried fruit or tinned fruit in natural juice instead of sweets. Also frozen yoghurt is a yummy alternative to ice cream.

• If you want to snack have an orange, kiwi fruit or a banana.

• As a family it is important to work together, by doing so you will all benefit by offering that important support that is vitally needed.

• Stop 'comfort eating'. Eating regularly every four hours throughout the day will burn fat and you will not be hungry.

• This is also a tough one, try to get your children to chew their food before swallowing.

• Try to keep plenty of fresh fruit, sugar free biscuits, nuts (only if your children don't have a nut allergy) and try not to keep lots of high-fat, high-sugar snack foods in the home.

• Don't make outings for fast foods part of the daily/weekly routine.