One of the growing concerns affecting today’s teenagers is the increase in the rate of teen obesity. The following teen obesity statistics from from the American Obesity Association and the CDC (Center for Disease Control). It is important to note that weight gain during the teen years is normal. It is when that weight gain progresses beyond normal limits that teens become at risk for obesity. Generally speaking, a person is obese when the BMI exceeds 30 percent.
Teen Obesity Statistics
- About 30% of teenagers are overweight
- 17% of 2-19 year olds are obese
- 45.9% of teens are at risk of weight-related health problems
Teen Obesity by State
Statistics reported for 2013 by the CDC show the following:
- Only 3 states reported less than 10% of high school students as being obese: Utah, Montana, & New Jersey
- 31 states reported high school obesity rates between 10-14%
- 8 states had high school obesity rates between 15-19%; Arkansas and Kentucky were highest at 18%
- Teen obesity statistics were not reported in 8 states.
Rise in Teen Obesity
The American Obesity Association identifies the following concerns parents have regarding teen obesity:
- 12 percent of parents feel their children are overweight
- 78 percent feel that P.E. classes should not be removed from school curriculum
- 27 percent of parents feel teens today eat less nutritiously than they did
- 24 percent of today’s parents feel teens get less physical exercise
Causes of Teen Obesity
Most experts point out that an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, coupled with poorer nutrition choices, is contributing to the growing number of teens considered overweight or obese. Some factors that contribute to teens’ unhealthy weight gain include (3):
- Increased intake of “junk” food
- Drinking sugary drinks, especially soda
- Lack of physical activity (including many schools’ decisions to cut P.E.)
- Temptation of indoor sedentary activities including television, video games and computer use
- Genetic factors
Health Effects of Teen Obesity
The effects that teen obesity has on health can begin during the teen years and extend throughout a lifetime, if not checked. Here are some of the common health conditions thought to have teen obesity as a risk factor (1):
- Type 2 diabetes
- Asthma
- Sleep problems, including sleep apnea
- Orthopedic (bone) problems due to an inability of the developing bones to support the excess weight
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Heart disease
Additionally, teenage obesity can lead to psychological problems associated with negative body image and social issues associated with being treated as an outcast.
Preventing Teen Obesity
Sixty-one percent of parents claim that they would readily change their own habits if it would help their teenagers avoid obesity (1). This gets at one of the main means of preventing obesity: family involvement. It is important to help teens acquire healthy lifestyles through family activities and participation (4). Concentrating on replacing unhealthy foods with healthy food choices can significantly reduce teen obesity, as can increased physical activity. Family activities such as walking, biking, hiking and even just playing games outside can help teens lower their risk of obesity (4).
One of the biggest culprits in teen obesity is sugary drinks. Non-diet sodas, some canned juices and lemonades, iced tea and other beverages have large amounts of calories. According to research conducted by the Children’s Hospital Boston, cutting back on sugary drinks, and replacing them low-calorie alternatives (especially water) can have a significant impact on teenage weight gain (5).
Creative Ideas to Prevent Teen Obesity
One doesn’t have to participate in organized sports or eschew all sweets and snacks to avoid obesity. Creative ideas include allowing teens to watch TV while on a treadmill and playing video games from a stationary bike. Dried fruit, and real fruit leather (from an organic store) can be tasty ways to increase fruit intake. Snacks like peanut butter on celery or apple slices are time-honored snacks, as is a trail mix of raisins, other dried fruits, unsalted nuts and very few M&Ms or chocolate chips.
- obesity.org [Online]
- cdc.gov [Online]
- adolescenthealth.org [Online]
- harvardvanguard.org/info/news/GStone060308.asp
- webmd.com/content/chat_transcripts/1/105060.htm
