Debi+F.

=Teenage Obesity =

__Introduction__
====Imagine being 250 pounds at the age of 12. Always being made fun of, depressed, and constantly sick. As the years go by you only get more depressed, don’t like leaving the house, and only eating more and more. According to recent reports, 14% percent of teens are obese. This means 14% percent of teens are at risk for heart disease, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. This amount has almost tripled in the last 20 years (Teen Obesity Statistics). Teens that are overweight or obese, not only deal with the health problems, but also social discrimination, depression, and low self esteem. This leads them to sitting around, watch TV, gaining more weight, and then feeling even worse about themselves. Teenagers that are obese are even more likely to become obese when they are adults and living on their own, because they don't know how to properly manages their weight (Greenblatt). If this is such a growing epidemic in the United States, why are schools requiring less physical education, and continuing to serve the greasy, calorie packed lunches? So if obesity is becoming such a problem, how does it impact teenager’s everyday life? ====

__What Does it Mean to be Overweight Or Obese?__
A person gets to be overweight, or obese when they eat more calories than they can burn off, so the bodies take those extra calories and store them as fat. If you have a couple extra pounds of body fat, that is not considered a health risk. But once people get into that pattern of eating more than they can burn, is when the fat starts to build up, and then you eventually become obese. Once a persons weight starts to have a negative effect on their body, is when they can be classified as overweight, or obese. This can cause some serious health risks, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. (When Being Overweight is a Health Problem)

__What are The Maine Causes of Teenage Obesity?__

 * There are many causes that have led to the increase of teenage obesity. The major one is just the change in most Americans lifestyle. Diet has a big role in obesity, greasy fast foods, sugars, and supersized items have become an American lifestyle, that has had zero positive benefits on the health of Teens. Family behaviors also have a very large impact on the health of teens, and their lifestyle. Children with obese parents have a 25-30% better chance of becoming obese themselves (Wexler). Eating fast food should be a once in a month thing, yet families eat out up to all three meals a day. This is slowly killing kids, because no one has taught them moderation. Kids that are dangerously obese, are not able to play sports, only making the cycle of, eat watch TV, play video, games, then eat again worse! **

===__W__ **__hat are the Effects of Obesity on Teenagers?__ ** === Obesity can have many very negative effects on teenagers. It can affect teenagers socially, physically, and mentally. Teens who are obese, usually are outcasted, and are constantly being made fun of. This a lot of the times causes them to have a negative view of themselves, and not want to go out or do anything. So they continue to just sit around and watch TV. Being obese also takes a major toll on your over all health. Teenagers who are overweight, or obese, have a greater chance of having very high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, asthma, and heart disease. Which also leads to a shortened life (Childhood Obesity). This disease impacts a teenagers life because, if they are obese, they cannot physically do as much as the other kids, and they are constantly reminded of their weight. This may lead them to become extremely depressed, and in some cases put their life in danger.

__Possible Solutions to This Problem__
Kids get their eating, and lifestyle habbits from their family. If the family would make some drastic lifestyle changes, like eating out once a month, instead of every other day, or exercising as a family. Then the kids would learn how to lead a much healthier life ("Diet, Nutrition, and Weight Issues among Children and Adolescents"). Another way to help this problem would be for more schools to put a focus on health. A lot of schools are cutting down their P.E program, and serving greasy, fatty foods at lunch. If schools were to require P.E, and make it fun to do, and serve food that’s actually good for you, like fresh fruits and veggies, then America would see lots of healthier kids, and teenagers. In order for this epidemic to slow down, teenager need to take their life into their own hands. This means eating right, exercising at least four days a week. Keeping in shape, and getting in shape is hard, but it is well worth it in the long run. You will look better, feel better, and have more self esteem. Some good things to do if your trying to get into shape is, change your diet, play some sports with friends, do something thats involves being active,and that intrests you. By doing this is will be easier to get into shape, because you can enjoy it at the same time. A big problem for all people, not just adults, or just teenagers, is the tomorrow syndrome. People say "Oh I can eat this now, because tomorrow ill start working out." Which is not the way to think if you want to get healthy and stay healthy. Start today, and be on your way to a much better, and happier more confident life.

__Works Cited__ __Internet Sources__ "Diet, Nutrition, and Weight Issues among Children and Adolescents." //Weight in America.// Detroit: Gale, 2007. //Student Research Center Gold.// Web. 1 Feb 2010.  Greenblatt, Alan. "Obesity Epidemic." //CQ Researcher//. 31 Jan. 2003//. CQ Researcher// Web. 1 Feb. 2010.

Masci, David. "Diet and Health." //CQ Reasercher//. 23 Feb. 2001. //CQ Researcher// Web. 2 Feb. 2010.

__Databases__ Bellows, L. "Childhood Obesity." //Extension//. Colorado State University, May 2009. Web. 3 Feb. 2010.

"Teen Obesity Statistics." //Troubled Teen 101//. Web. 3 Feb. 2010.

"When Being Overweight is a Health Problem." //Teens Health//. Nemours, Apr. 2007. Web. 2 Feb. 2010.

__Other Good Websites to Visit__
 If you are a teenager, and looking for more information about obesity, this is a great website []

If you want to know more on how to get healthier, and the right way to diet and exercise, check out this site! []

If your a parent, and need tips on helping your kid lead a healthier lifestyle, this is a good site for you. []

If your looking for statistics about teenage obnesity, and pervention, visit this site. []

If you live in chicago, and you want to get active, this is the site for you! []