New concerns about teen obesity
What forces are adding to the obesity epidemic in teens? Healthy Kids expert panelist and adolescent medicine specialist Rima Himelstein, MD, looks at the latest data on obesity in teens and offers solutions for parents. New concerns include underestimating fast food calories, spending too much time on the computer and not having gym classes.
by Rima Himelstein, M.D.
What forces are adding to the obesity epidemic in teens? Here are key ones:
Fast food: 80 percent of teens underestimated the calories in their fast-food meals; they guessed 800 calories when the calorie count was really almost double that: 1,500.
Screen time: One third of teens spend close to 40 hours on TV and the computer every week and about 7 percent spend more than 50 hours.
No gym: Less than half of 9th-grade students and less than a quarter of 12th-grade students have physical education.
High fasting glucose or insulin resistance (signs of pre-diabetes)
Low high-density lipoprotein ( the "good" type of cholesterol)
High triglycerides (fat in the blood)
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Abdominal obesity (too much belly fat)
People with metabolic syndrome are three times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke and five times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than other people.
In your home, join in the fight against obesity:
Just say "yes"…
Avoid having foods and drinks that you will have to say "no" to, like candy, chips and soda.
Have healthy snacks in the kitchen instead, like fresh fruits and veggies.
Move it …
Start exercise at 10 minutes a day and work up to the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations of one hour 5 days a week.
Get your kids into after-school sports or dancing – they won't even realize they're exercising!
Limit TV, texting and computer to less than two hours a day.
Team work ...
If you and your teen both have weight issues think about joining Weight Watchers together
Join a gym (some health insurance plans give discounts) or do some laps around a nearby track.
"5 over 6" ...
Losing just 5–10 percent of current weight over 6 months can lower the risk for heart disease and other conditions.
Raise your voice …
Get involved in your school board to push for changes in the nutrition and physical education programs in your child's school.
Don't stop there!
Remember, you are not alone. Your teen's doctor is on your team and wants to help you prevent the complications of obesity.
Rima Himelstein, M.D., is a Crozer-Keystone Health System pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist.