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Tags: health, wellness, obesity, teenage obesity
 The teenage years can actually be a tumultuous phase. During this stage of transition, an adolescent is beset with multi-faceted issues with the body, the emotions and the psyche. As much as these issues may seem trivial to adults, they are real to adolescents, and with parental neglect, it may not be surprising that there is a constantly increasing trend in teenage substance abuse, depression and suicide.
One of the most prevalent issues that teenagers have to contend with is peer pressure. Peer pressure imposes so many demands on a teenager as to how they should act, who they go with and how they look. Appearance is one of the dominating factors that promote social acceptance, thus teenagers go to great lengths to be attractive.
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This can put a majority of teenagers in a quandary of frustration and emotional insecurity as over half of the population in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom are overweight with 20% of them falling under the obese category. Teenage obesity is currently becoming a prevalent phenomenon with teenagers being exposed to unhealthy foods and eating habits.
Despite the fact that the media sets the standard of being attractive by being thin, teenage obesity rate is on the rise creating a personal predicament for teenagers. Teenage obesity may not be of foremost concern when it comes to health for adolescents, but it has so much to do with peer pressure and social acceptance.
Teenage obesity can make an adolescent an object of ridicule, and with an adolescent’s fragile ego, this can be overwhelming. As much as this condition can be due to a genetic predisposition, it can also be acquired from cultural and psychosocial influences. The prevalence of junk food and their promotion and accessibility in fast food restaurants attributes to teenage obesity.
Much more so with the tendency of teenagers to engage in unhealthy eating habits. As much as teenagers are basically kids, parental obligation is necessary in preventing teenage obesity. Parents must ensure that their children eat healthily by preparing fresh-home cooked meals for them. When adolescents are disciplined to keep to healthy eating, teenage obesity may not be so much of a problem.
The same thing with exercise. Whether it be childhood, adult or teenage obesity, physical activity remains to be one of the foremost measures in addressing the condition. In the endeavor of promoting exercise to deal with teenage obesity, schools play a vital role as well. By far, schools are including physical activity and education in their curriculum, but teenagers should be made aware that exercise be done not only within the school premises.
Inculcating a healthy perspective on teenagers about their food and their bodies can also help them deal with teenage obesity. As teenagers are often keen on following role models, adults should play the part of being healthy eaters and physically active individuals to handle the issue of teenage obesity. Teenage obesity is almost often never outgrown and it is more likely to ensue into adult obesity.
Thus it is only necessary that teenage obesity be treated by inculcating discipline, support and awareness to obese teenagers. To do away with teenage obesity not only puts an adolescent at lower risk for health conditions but it can help them develop self-esteem and a healthy, worthwhile experience of the teenage years.
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About the author
Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy.
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