Reason Why Teenagers Become Fat

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All teenagers think they are fat. But childhood obesity has doubled in children and tripled in adolescents over the past 30 years, giving us cause to be concerned. Various studies have found that obese teenagers are more likely to grow into obese adults. Such teenagers also have high levels of cholesterol and high blood pressure. An overweight teen faces a number of psychological problems like depression, lack of self esteem and a fear of being bullied. They might also develop eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia to avoid the social stigma.

So, to prevent this from happening, we must understand why teenagers become fat.

Sedentary Lifestyle: When was the last time your kid went out in the open air to throw a ball around? Teenagers these days are spending all their time in front of the television, playing games on their computer or fiddling around with their phones. As technology advances, teenagers prefer being indoors with their gadgets to explore the various mysteries outside their doorstep.

Unhealthy Food Choices: Due to artificial flavours and addictive in fast foods, most teenagers consume them as part of their regular diet. When high calorie foods containing large amounts of fat and sugar are consumed daily, they cause weight gain and obesity. Teenagers even skip nutritious meals and survive on fast food such as chips and soda.

Family Food Habits: In most families, dinner is the only time everybody comes together to have a proper meal. And this meal usually takes place in front of the television. Most teenagers have similar food habits to their parents. And most of their parents, due to a busy work schedule, eat very little during the day and binge at night. These unhealthy food choices are taken up by the teenagers as well. If the parents are overweight, then their children are also likely to be overweight.

Hormonal Imbalances: During the teenage years, significant changes in hormone levels occur. This leads to overeating and craving for food items. Their metabolism might also slow down due to inactivity during their childhood, causing teenagers to become fat.

Snacking When Bored: Being bored is a complaint you commonly hear from teenagers. And they usually try to stifle their boredom by snacking on whatever they find around the house. Being bored and having a packet of chips in your hand leads to finishing off the entire packet without a second thought. Such mindless snacking on junk food is a major cause of obesity among teens.

These are the main reasons why a majority of teenagers nowadays become fat. You can help them stay healthy by encouraging them to take up some form of physical activity like sports or dance. You can also teach them to make the right nutritional choices and to stay away from junk food that will adversely affect their health.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.