Saturday, November 29, 2008

Teenage Weight Loss, Dangers of Being Overweight

By Ricardo d Argence

Today nearly nine million teens under the age of 15 are obese, but since 1980 the number of obese teenagers has tripled. The rise in teen-age obesity is staggering. It is even more difficult for teens to be overweight due to health risks and social repercussions.

Obesity is increasing as is the amount of kids with diabetes. In the past, this more severe form of diabetes was only seen in adults over 40, but current research shows the increasing obesity rate to be the real culprit. Type 2 diabetes can cause renal failure, blindness, and even death.

Sleep apnea is a disorder in which the sufferer quits breathing for short periods while sleeping. When a person is obese, there is little muscle tone around the airway and this can lead to sleep apnea. The resulting oxygen deficiencies can cause major medical problems, like brain damage, heart problems, and death.

Asthma may have an obesity link are the sudies that begun to show only recently. In cases of severe obesity the lungs cannot properly expand causing constriction of the airways. Also, its been suggested that the low grade systematic inflammation common in obese, this inflammation can affect smooth muscle tissue and cause more restriction of the airways.

Unfortunately teenagers have more to worry about than their physical health. School time can be a nightmare for the overweight teenager. Other kids are cruel and say nasty things to them. Often time's teenagers who are overweight will become withdrawn and depressed, adding another ailment to the growing list of concerns.

Teen's eating habits are a big factor in obesity of that age group. Teens are known for their preference for junk food. Vending machines containing junk food have been removed in many school districts. They have replaced them with juice, water, and healthy snacks.

In order for the teenager to go one-step further, they must begin to change their diet at home. Healthy home cooked meals need to replace the high caloric fast foods they so love.

A great idea is to plan your diet choices to be slowly added to your regular diet. Three regular meals per day and two snacks. Throw away packaged foods in favor of home made. Placing a little amounts of food on your plate and eating them slowly -remember they do not have to clean the plate!- is referred as portion control. You should include several servings of fruits and vegetables to ensure that you are consuming a balanced and healthy diet. You should drink alot of water because somtimes when we think we are hungry we are actually thirsty, and alot of water is very healthy.

Today, teenagers get much less exercise. Most teenagers today lead sedentary lives due to increases in electronic forms of entertainment such as television, internet and video games. Be firm with limits on TV time, and remove it from the bedroom. Instead of goining for a walk is a family, or brought bikes to every one.

You could even do your housework in a way that you could get some exercise while doing them. Providing movement is your aim no matter what is necessary. - 15634

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