Even a few years ago the position of 'epidemic' was hold either by cancer or drugs. Thats not the case any more! Thanks to the fast and unheeded lifestyle lived by most American teenagers, teenage obesity has almost become one of America's leading epidemics, and this is not an exaggeration!
Believe it or not, it didn't become an epidemic in one day or year! During the last five decades Americans have become somewhat lazier and started preferring easy and comfortable lifestyle to hard work. American adults were probably the first to fall prey to obesity, followed by children and teenagers. Today American teenagers ape the unhealthy lifestyle habits of their parents, and teenage obesity is the natural result of it!
If you are a red-blooded American citizen you would probably voice a loud "NO" against obesity. After all, if a large percentage of a country's population suffers from the pangs of killer obesity, what would be the future of such a country! It is no secret that people can keep their native country healthy only when they are fit and healthy themselves, and the trick to living a long and healthy life lies in losing the extra pounds!
Apart from the fact that obesity is itself a disease, it also brings forth several other killer diseases into the human body such as hypertension, fatigue, irritability, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart-related problems, stroke, etc., and even though instances of obesity-related deaths are rare, they DO occur nonetheless!
As for the solution, there is really nothing unique and new to be said here. Since it all started with following an easy and fast lifestyle, people need to revert the process by copying the healthy habits followed by their forefathers. In good old times, teenagers used to play outdoor sports such as volleyball, tennis, basketball, etc. Some of them even used to indulge in hula hooping, rope jumping, skiing, scuba diving, etc. Today's teens prefer to sit at home and watch television or play video games. Is it then any wonder if they become overweight in due course of time?
Coming over to foods - chips, popcorn balls, candies and chocolates are as much favored by a teen as a pre-teen. Truth is even adults take a fancy to these delicious foods. When teens see their parents enjoying a packet of popcorn while watching a Hollywood movie, they get even more encouraged to follow the same routine. Add to that the fact that today's teens attend dozens of parties just like their parents and you cannot expect a party without beer or soda!
Junk foods have entrapped us so much that we have almost made them an integral part of our staple diet by eating them all the time, be it at breakfast, lunch or dinner! Once again the outcome of following such unhealthy eating habits couldn't be anything else except obesity!
It is difficult to modify a teenager's eating habits unless you take recourse to coercion in some form or other, which in turn would do more harm than good! One of the best ways to tackle the situation is by monitoring your kid's lifestyle habits right from the start!
From a very young age, they should be taught the benefits of playing tennis over watching videos games or PSPs. Also, they should be taught that chips and cookies are not their friends and that they should eat organic fruits and vegetables as often as possible! These simple measures would go a long way in keeping them fit and healthy throughout their whole life!
Remember that you should also follow the same healthy lifestyle you expect your children to follow!
- Prev:3 Fatal Diseases Derived from Obesity
- Next:The Truth About Obesity And Health