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Obese Teenagers And The Sedentary Lifestyle - The Role Parents Play

The sedentary lifestyle and poor diet that many teenagers follow today is leading to some serious future health problems when they become adults.

Although there may be some differences in statistics, it is estimated that approximately 14% to 17% of teenagers in the U.S. are obese. This number has tripled in the past 20 years and does not seem to be on the decline, at least not at present.

Two of the main reasons for the increase in teenage obesity is the combination of poor eating habits and a lack of physical activity. It is important for parents to recognize that they play a vital role in molding the viewpoint of their children in a positive way to caring for their health and fitness.

Considering the serious, but preventable illnesses, that young people are at risk of suffering from because of a lack of physical activity and poor eating habits, only an irresponsible parent would take this matter lightly and give no thought to how their child's future health and happiness will be affected by her or his exercise and diet habits when they are young.

Obesity puts teenagers at higher risk of Type 2 Diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and a long list of many other diseases.

It's no secret that two of the main causes of teenage obesity are the combination of a sedentary lifestyle and a poor diet. Many teens spend a large proportion of their spare time engaged in sedentary activities, such as watching television and movies, playing computer and Internet games, using cell phones and listening to music on their iPods, etc.

On top of this, teens are inundated with a flood of advertisements for the latest in junky, fast food snacks and sugar loaded beverages that are supposed to make them look cool. Sadly, these ads only contribute to the challenge that parents face in helping their children make wise and healthy dietary choices. The combination of really poor food and drink choices and the sedentary lifestyle that has become all too common doesn't result in teenagers who look and feel cooler. On the contrary, we end up with teens who are obese and terribly out of shape.

Added to the physical ailments that a lack of physical activity and poor nutrition causes, many obese teenagers suffer from depression because of the stigma and social isolation that goes along with being overweight. This results in many of such young people feeling isolated and alone. The result is that they often spend inordinate amounts of time at home, sitting in front of the television or the computer and snacking on junk food. This causes more weight gain and more of the same social isolation and depression, which results in teenagers getting caught in a vicious and dangerous circle of no physical activity and poor eating habits.

Therefore, it is very clear that parents bear a serious responsibility when it comes to helping to influence children to be more physically active and to develop healthy eating habits from a young age. Remember, that obese children and teens are much more likely to become obese and unhealthy adults.

If you are a parent you need to take action now to help your child or teenager avoid a sedentary lifestyle and poor diet, and ensure that her or he has a bright, healthy and active future as an adult!
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