Teen obesity
Bailey Tobin
Facts and statistics on Teen Obesity
According to the American Obesity Association, about 30.4 percent of teenagers are overweight, and 15.5 percent of teens are obese.
45.9 percent of teens are at risk for developing health problems due to weight.
main causes of teen obesity
45.9 percent of teens are at risk for developing health problems due to weight.
- 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
main causes of teen obesity
- 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 obesity
- 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