Obesity is a very serious problem today with a large segment of our society suffering from weight issues, and it becomes even more serious when we see how many adolescents now suffer from it. In recent years, the amount of obese adolescents has risen with frightening speed, and a way to prevents this must be found.
Some interesting facts about the adolescents who suffer from obesity
The majority of available literature has reported that children and adolescents are now less active than ever, and it is the modern lifestyle which is really most to blame for this, as people?s lifestyles in general have seen a reduction in both voluntary and incidental activities.
Also, certain segments of the adolescent and younger population are at even higher risk for obesity, due to documented differences in physical activity levels. As an example, boys are more active than girls in general, and children become less active as they grow into their teenage years. These simple facts tell us a lot about obesity in adolescents, and may provide us the answers we need to stop it.
Health problems
The array of health complications that are possible from adolescent obesity is astounding, and the list includes: cardiovascular disease and hypertension, non-insulin dependant diabetes mellitus, gallbladder disease, cancer of the breast and colon, sleep apnea, and an increased risk of morbidity and even mortality.
Diabetes is also a common infliction caused by obesity, and in fact it strikes more often in children and adolescents than it does in adults. Obesity also has been established as being a major risk factor for hypertension, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, infertility, lower extremity venous stasis disease, and urinary stress incontinence.
Additional complications
The problems which come with obesity go further than health related problems. Typically, adolescents and children suffering from obesity will be impacted negatively in social areas, as well as academics. All of this leads to a lowered self esteem, and it’s not uncommon for the obese kids to even have less job opportunities after they leave school.
It is very obvious what a serious problem obesity is, especially in children and adolescents. While it is a major problem in our whole society, we have to start trying to solve the issue before we have another generation of obese adults who are suffering terribly. With the obesity rates growing every day, it’s imperative that we start taking action now, and work to find the right solutions. Obesity is preventable, and it’s our job as a society to start finding the ways to do so.
