Obesity in teenagers is a growing issue as we move towards a busier lifestyle and with the current ease in technology. More and more teenagers are becoming obese and obesity has been linked with several diseases that affect the heart and the liver. As much as the slimming trend is into fashion, so is the rise in obesity amongst teenagers. The reasons why teenagers are known to be obese contribute to hereditary, emotional, and physical as well as lifestyle factors.The crisis is huge as the number of obese teenagers grows tremendously As stated by Nanci Hellmich of USA Today, For the latest study, Gordon-Larsen and UNC colleagues reviewed the height and weight records of 9,561 people in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Participants, who were ages 13 to 20 when the study started, were weighed and measured until they were 19 to 26.
Researchers found that overall, 27% were overweight and 22% obese by their 20s. About 11% were obese as teenagers at the start of the research and stayed that way, and another 11% became obese during this time period” (Hellmich, pg. 1). The above research study shows how the growth in the obesity statistics is particularly affecting teenagers.A change in lifestyle is what we need for these teenagers and this is the only solution for obesity that consists of a healthy nutrition, exercise including any weight loss medication (in case of severe form of obesity). No diet program or diet food will offer long lasting results unless there is a change in life style.
As Jayashree Pakhare in her article, “Weight loss tips for overweight teens” states, “The best eating plan for teen weight loss must consist of an eating program that provides both enough calories (more than 1200, especially for boys) and enough nutrition at the same time.The reason for more than 1200 calories is because there are doctors who will put a 12-year-old child on a 1,000-calorie diet. Clearly these are not enough calories to prevent the body from going into starvation mode which slows down the metabolism and when the child gets off the diet and eats his regular diet, the weight comes back and is harder to get off than before… In addition, the teens must go beyond their comfort zone. This means sweating and a bit of huffing and puffing on a regular basis” (Pakhare, pg. 1).
The way to healthy lifestyle to reduce obesity amongst teenagers is to induce any kind of physical activity in their schedule.This forms the fundamental criteria to leading a healthy life as physical activity ensures continuous burning of fats and increases metabolism thereby reducing the incidents of obesity in the first place. Healthy lifestyle modification is a permanent solution to getting rid of obesity. Lifestyle modification ensures that there are no harmful effects on the body and is a complete and lasting solution to combat obesity in teenagers on a life-long basis rather than on a temporary basis.As stated in the Journal of Nursing Scholarship, The goals of nutrition therapy that apply to all people with diabetes should include (a) maintenance of optimal metabolic outcomes; (b) prevention and treatment of the chronic complications of diabetes; (c) modification of nutritional intake and lifestyle as appropriate for preventing and treating obesity, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and nephropathy; (d) improvement of health through healthy food choices and physical activity; and (e) attention to individual nutritional needs, including personal and cultural preferences and lifestyle” (Johnson & Spiruill & Williams, pg.
).Another study which indicates that lifestyle modification (also known as behavior change) along with medication is the best solution for obesity is as follows: “Dr. David L. Katz, an associate professor of public health and director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine, notes that while recent adolescent studies show positive results from gastric bypass surgery and medication therapy, relying on medications or surgery to treat obesity among our youth is indicative of "glaring societal failures.
"Obesity is preventable by means well understood and at our disposal - increasing physical activity, and reducing caloric intake.Unlike drugs and surgery, these options enhance overall health, come at low or no cost, and do not impose a risk of complications," states Dr. Katz. These findings are especially interesting when juxtaposed with those of Dr.
Hu's study on the impact of adolescent obesity on future mortality, Dr. Katz says. Perhaps the judicious use of weight-control medication could be used to mitigate this threat [to adolescent health]," he notes” (NewYork- Presbyterian, pg. 1). The crisis of such an epidemic is a growing concern in the world today as teenagers of today are the future leaders of tomorrow.The efficacy of lifestyle modification for combating against obesity has been proven by several studies that support the fact that lifestyle change can actually contribute to long lasting results.
A research study by Thomas A. Wadden, Meghan L. Butryn and Kirstin J. Byrne states, “Long-term weight control is facilitated by continued patient-therapist contact, whether provided in person or by telephone, mail, or e-mail.
High levels of physical activity and the consumption of low-calorie, portion-controlled meals, including liquid meal replacements, can also help maintain weight loss. Additional studies are needed of the effects of macronutrient content (e. g. , low-fat vs. low-carbohydrate diets) on long-term changes in weight and health.Research also is needed on effective methods of providing comprehensive weight loss control to the millions of Americans who need it” (Wadden, Butryn & Byrne, pg.
1). Obesity for teenagers can also be combated by inducing interesting physical activities such as yoga and healthy nutritional programs that would comprise the overall lifestyle modification including alternative therapies. Yoga, aerobics, walking, swimming; all these activities form a crucial part of lifestyle modification that should be looked into at all costs.As a Nutrition Crash Course website states, “The only true solution to our rising obesity rates is to return to the unrefined whole foods we traditionally ate, before our diets shifted towards soft drinks and greasy fast food. This qualitative approach, focusing on improving true nutrition rather than just counting calories, leads to both a healthier and trimmer outcome. Without such fundamental change, using diet drugs or weight loss surgery would simply be masking the problem, not fixing it” (Nutrition Crash Course, pg.
1).Due to the rising statistics related to obesity, it is essential to note that the lifestyle modification including healthy foods and moderate amounts of physical activity would help the teenagers adopt a positive view about their health. Obesity is a serious issue that cannot be ignored. Though there are several solutions posed by different people, the only solution that would work for the teenagers is behavior or lifestyle modification as it induces permanent habitual changes that help these young minds and bodies to have a safe future ahead with regards to their health.They would also be more conscious of what they eat and this would in turn help them be safe from several ailments linked with obesity such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure and many more.
The generation of today should be encouraged to adopt this solution because lifestyle modification is the only permanent solution against obesity. Lifestyle modification serves as a permanent solution for obesity and it can also be regarded as the safest way for the teenagers to develop a healthier outlook for life…
