Psychology of Obese Teens

Question
What are the psychological effects of teenage obesity?

Answer
Teens are an especially vulnerable group when it comes to anything to do with body image.
 
1.  As I write in my book, Mind over Fatter, (http://www.ditch-diets-live-light.com/mind-over-fatter.html) It's a time when their body is changing, and often experiencing the natural puppy fat spurt that comes with the sex hormone changes necessary for their menstrual cycle to begin.
2.  They are at a very impressionable age - they are easily swayed by over photo-shopped images (see http://www.ditch-diets-live-light.com/body-image-and-self-esteem.html) of glamorous movie stars and other media icons.
3.  It's a time when romantic relationships become increasingly important and we live in a world where we are sold the belief that our success in this arena is all about how we look, how we dress and our body.

So being obese can lead to despondency, depression, eating disorders (from anorexia http://www.ditch-diets-live-light.com/anorexia-nervosa.html to binge eating disorder http://www.ditch-diets-live-light.com/binge-eating-disorder.html bulimia http://www.ditch-diets-live-light.com/bulimia-nervosa.html exercise bulimia http://www.ditch-diets-live-light.com/exercise-bulimia.htmlor even suicide.

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