15% of teens are overweight or obese.
Since the 1970's, that rate has increased by more than 10%.
Because of their youth, being overweight is not as much of a physical problem as it is a psychological problem.
The psychological problems are enhanced by the factors brought on by other children.
Taunting, teasing and general all around poor treatment happen to them on a daily basis at school and amongst their peers at home.
Their own feelings of self-worth can be diminished by such attacks.
A large percentage of overweight kids, especially girls, are depressed because of their weight.
Because of the need for growth, diets that adults use may not be effective or indeed could worsen the situation with overweight teens.
Some diets deprive the overweight teen from getting some of the nutrients and substances that they need to grow at a optimum rate.
Diets such as the Atkins Diet or the South Beach Diet eliminate foods that the teen needs.
Overweight teens that live near a school are likely to live near a "fast food" restaurant.
This is no coincidence.
Major food chains such as McDonald's, Wendy's or Jack-in-the-Box know that teens represent a large part of their target market so it makes a lot of sense to set up near a school.
Especially areas in large metropolitan cities such as Chicago, New York or Los Angeles, the large majority of teens can walk to school.
On the way there, they may drop into a fast food joint.
Then there is lunch which is so convenient for the child and their parents.
Just send lunch money with them and save all the hassle of a prepared lunch.
Chances are also good that if the child is overweight, they could drop in again after school when it is likely they will be hungry again.
It is not uncommon for teens to have at least a daily meal at one of these restaurants.
One measure that could be taken, but likely won't be, is to restrict area restaurants in the school area.
They already restrict pornography, alcohol and firearm acquisition stores from setting up near a school.
Maybe they should consider fast food joints as a public health measure.
Another facet of overweight teens is caused by sedentary lifestyle.
It is a fact that almost half of teenagers spend more than 2 hours a day watching television.
Throw in video games, computers and the internet and physical activity and exercise will get the short end of the stick.
Conversely from a physical activity standpoint, only 19% of teenagers are physically active for 20 minutes per day or more.
Inactivity is a major contributor towards overweight teens.
Females generally are more inactive than males by a 14% to 7% ratio.
It is also interesting that African American teenage girls are more inactive than their white counterparts by a ratio of 21% to 12%.
Combine sedentary lifestyle with regular fast food consumption and you have a recipe for an overweight teen.
Since the 1970's, that rate has increased by more than 10%.
Because of their youth, being overweight is not as much of a physical problem as it is a psychological problem.
The psychological problems are enhanced by the factors brought on by other children.
Taunting, teasing and general all around poor treatment happen to them on a daily basis at school and amongst their peers at home.
Their own feelings of self-worth can be diminished by such attacks.
A large percentage of overweight kids, especially girls, are depressed because of their weight.
Because of the need for growth, diets that adults use may not be effective or indeed could worsen the situation with overweight teens.
Some diets deprive the overweight teen from getting some of the nutrients and substances that they need to grow at a optimum rate.
Diets such as the Atkins Diet or the South Beach Diet eliminate foods that the teen needs.
Overweight teens that live near a school are likely to live near a "fast food" restaurant.
This is no coincidence.
Major food chains such as McDonald's, Wendy's or Jack-in-the-Box know that teens represent a large part of their target market so it makes a lot of sense to set up near a school.
Especially areas in large metropolitan cities such as Chicago, New York or Los Angeles, the large majority of teens can walk to school.
On the way there, they may drop into a fast food joint.
Then there is lunch which is so convenient for the child and their parents.
Just send lunch money with them and save all the hassle of a prepared lunch.
Chances are also good that if the child is overweight, they could drop in again after school when it is likely they will be hungry again.
It is not uncommon for teens to have at least a daily meal at one of these restaurants.
One measure that could be taken, but likely won't be, is to restrict area restaurants in the school area.
They already restrict pornography, alcohol and firearm acquisition stores from setting up near a school.
Maybe they should consider fast food joints as a public health measure.
Another facet of overweight teens is caused by sedentary lifestyle.
It is a fact that almost half of teenagers spend more than 2 hours a day watching television.
Throw in video games, computers and the internet and physical activity and exercise will get the short end of the stick.
Conversely from a physical activity standpoint, only 19% of teenagers are physically active for 20 minutes per day or more.
Inactivity is a major contributor towards overweight teens.
Females generally are more inactive than males by a 14% to 7% ratio.
It is also interesting that African American teenage girls are more inactive than their white counterparts by a ratio of 21% to 12%.
Combine sedentary lifestyle with regular fast food consumption and you have a recipe for an overweight teen.