Teenage Obesity in the U.S.A.

The teenage years are supposed to be an exciting time, filled with a growing maturity and the thrill of an unlimited future.  For many young people, however, obesity and weight gain threaten to hold them back from getting the most out of their adolescence – and may even be putting their future at risk.  The problem of teen obesity in America has only gotten worse in recent decades – and the kids themselves are not the only ones to blame.

The Problem with the Teen Diet

Perhaps the biggest factor behind the growing number of overweight teens is their diet.  Put simply, our kids do not eat right.  From the time they wake up until their last evening snack, kids are much more likely to eat junk food and prepared foods filled with fats and preservatives then they are to ingest healthy fruits and vegetables.  Even our school system is to blame – as many high schools and middle schools have come under fire in recent years for serving meals that would make McDonald’s cringe – during school hours!

Parents and Teen Obesity

One of the reasons why kids are eating poorly is because, as a society, we don’t tend to sit down to regular family meals as much as we used to in decades past.   In the majority of American families, both parents work full-time jobs, making it very difficult to find the time to prepare and sit down to a home cooked meal.   Obesity is also a disease that tends to run in the family.  With anything in life, we must set a good example for our children.  Adults who don’t maintain proper eating habits are passing these same behaviors down to their children, whether they realize it or not.  This is not fair to the children of course, who are never even given a chance to make the right decision because they mimic the actions of their parents.  The world you create for your kids is the only one they know.

Getting Your Teen to Exercise

Teenagers enjoy a better metabolism than adults.  One of the benefits of this is that it doesn’t take too much exercise for them to stay fit and healthy.  Limit the television, video game and Internet time your children do every day.  Go for family walks.   Getting your kids involved in sports teams and school activities that involve movement is essential.  Urge activity wherever possible – don’t drive to the store when you can walk.  When it comes to keeping kids from becoming overweight, parental involvement is the best weapon.   Finally, set a great example for your kids by staying in shape yourself!

If your teen is suffering from weight problems, contact FitRx today.  We offer a comprehensive weight loss program that can really get them back on track.