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Obesity in Children and Teens

The problem of childhood obesity has skyrocketed in the United States. Approximately 16 to 33 percent of children and teens are considered obese. While obesity is one of the easiest medical conditions to diagnosis, it can be one of the most difficult to treat. Poor diet and lack of exercise results in over 300,000 deaths every year. Unless overweight children learn healthy eating and exercise habits, they will grow into unhealthy, overweight adults.

Obesity Facts
A child carrying around a few extra pounds is not judged obese, but may show a tendency for easy weight gain. Typically, a child considered obese when their weight is at least 10 percent higher for the height and body type as recommended by their doctor. Childhood obesity usually begins between the ages of 5 and 6 and during adolescence. Pre-teens who are obese between the ages of 10 and 13 have an 80 percent chance of growing an obese adult.

The Cause of Obesity
Complex causes of obesity in children includes genetic, biological, behavioral and cultural factors. Having one obese parent equals a 50 percent increase their child will be overweight. When both parents are obese, the chances their kids will be obese increases to 80 percent. Less than 1 percent of all obesity in adolescents is caused by physical problems. Simply stated, when a teenager eats more calories than their body burns up, they become obese. Generally, obesity in childhood and adolescence results from:

poor eating habits
overeating or binging
lack of exercise or physical activity
history of obesity in the immediate family
endocrine, neurological, or other medical conditions
side affects from steroids or some psychiatric medications
stressful life events or changes (separations, divorce, moves, deaths, abuse)
low self-esteem, depression or other emotional problems

Health Risks and Complications of Being Obese
There are many risks and complications with being overweight and obese. Physical consequences include:

risk of heart disease
high blood pressure
diabetes
respiratory problems
sleep apnea

Obesity in children and teens also causes emotional problems. Boys and girls with weight problems typically have lower self-esteem and unpopular with their peers. It is also common for kids with weigh problems to suffer from depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder.

How To Manage and Treat Obesity in Adolescents
A family physician or pediatrician should perform a thorough medical evaluation to determine any physical causes of obesity in children. When there are no physical disorders behind the excess weight, the only way to lose weight is to burn more calories through activity than what is consumed by food. A combination of diet and exercise will ensure lasting weight loss. Often, obesity affects many family members, so a family that can exercise together will improve the chances of long term success for everyone.

Ways To Manage Obesity

start a weight-management program or join a support group
eat healthy, nutritious meals, avoiding junk and fast food, and limit snacking
eat less calories and watch portion sizes
increase physical activity
eat meals as a family away from the TV and computer
find other rewards than food

Battling obesity often becomes a lifelong struggle. Most overweight adolescents gain back lost pounds by returning to their old habits of poor diet and lack of exercise. An obese adolescent must learn about healthy foods, portion control and exercise plans to maintain their desired weight. By emphasizing their child's strengths and positive qualities, parents will help improve their child's self esteem.

A child psychiatrist can also help a family deal with the emotional issues of being obese. By working with the family physician, an adolescent psychiatrist can help develop a comprehensive treatment plan that includes attainable weight loss goals; diet, nutrition and exercise programs; and behavior modification, counseling, and family involvement.

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