In our looks-obsessed society, lots of people think that being
overweight is an appearance issue. But being overweight is actually
a medical concern because it can seriously affect a person's
health.
The health problems that stem from being overweight go way
beyond the ones we usually hear about, like diabetes and heart
disease. Being overweight can also affect a person's joints,
breathing, sleep, mood, and energy levels. So being overweight can
impact a person's entire quality of life.
Defining Overweight
When people eat more calories than they burn off, their bodies
store the extra calories as fat.
A couple of pounds of extra body fat are not a health risk for
most people. But when people keep up a pattern of eating more
calories than they burn, more and more fat builds up in their
bodies.
Eventually, the body gets to a point where the amount of body
fat can have a negative effect on a person's health. Doctors
use the terms "overweight" or "obese" to
describe when someone is at greatest risk of developing
weight-related health problems.
As you've probably heard, more people are overweight today
than ever before. Experts are calling this an "obesity
epidemic." This health problem affects young people as well as
adults - one third of all kids between the ages of 2 and 19 are
overweight or obese. So younger people are now developing health
problems that used to affect only adults, like high blood pressure,
high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.
Why Do People Become Overweight?
Obesity tends to run in families. Some people have a genetic
tendency to gain weight more easily than others because they burn
calories more slowly. During times when food was scarce, this was a
real advantage. But now that food is available 24/7 in most
industrialized countries, an efficient metabolism that once ensured
our survival now works to our disadvantage.
Although genes strongly influence body type and size, the
environment also plays a role. People today may be gaining weight
because of unhealthy food choices (like fast food) and family
habits (like eating in front of the television instead of around a
table). High-calorie, low-nutrient snacks and beverages, bigger
portions of food, and less-active lifestyles are all contributing
to the obesity epidemic.
Sometimes people turn to food for emotional reasons, such as
when they feel upset, anxious, sad, stressed out, or even bored.
When this happens, they often eat more than they need.
Measuring Weight
Figuring out if a teen is overweight can be more complicated
than it is for adults. That's because teens are still growing
and developing.
Doctors and other health care professionals often use a
measurement called
body mass index (BMI)
to determine if someone is overweight.
Doctors consider a teen
obese
when his or her BMI number is higher than the BMI numbers of 95% of
other teens the same age and gender. Someone whose BMI number is
between 85% and 95% of the BMIs of other teens the same age and
gender is
overweight
.
Health Problems of Being Overweight
Obesity is bad news for both body and mind. Not only can it make
a person feel tired and uncomfortable, carrying extra weight puts
added stress on the body, especially the bones and joints of the
legs. As they get older, kids and teens who are overweight are more
likely to develop diabetes and heart disease.
The health problems that affect overweight teens include:
-
Blount's disease.
Excess weight on growing bones can lead to this bone deformity of
the lower legs.
-
Arthritis.
Wear and tear on the joints from carrying extra weight can cause
this painful joint problem at a young age.
-
Slipped capital femoral epiphyses (SCFE).
Obese children and teens are at greater risk for this painful hip
problem. SCFE requires immediate attention and surgery to prevent
further damage to the joint.
-
Asthma.
Obesity is associated with breathing problems that can make it
harder to keep up with friends, play sports, or just walk from
class to class.
-
Sleep apnea.
This condition (where a person temporarily stops breathing during
sleep) is a serious problem for many overweight kids and adults.
Not only does it interrupt sleep, sleep apnea can leave people
feeling tired and affect their ability to concentrate and learn.
It also may lead to heart problems.
-
High blood pressure.
When blood pressure is high, the heart must pump harder and the
arteries must carry blood that's moving under greater
pressure. If the problem continues for a long time, the heart and
arteries may no longer work as well as they should. Although rare
in most teens, high blood pressure, or hypertension, is more
common in overweight or obese teens.
-
High cholesterol.
Long before getting sick, obese teens may have abnormal blood
lipid levels, including high cholesterol, low HDL
("good") cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels.
These increase the risk of heart attack and stroke when a
person gets older.
-
Gallstones.
An accumulation of bile that hardens in the gallbladder forms
gallstones. These may be painful and require surgery.
-
Fatty liver.
When fat accumulates in the liver, it can cause inflammation,
scarring, and permanent liver damage.
-
Pseudotumor cerebri.
This is a rare cause of severe headaches in obese teens and
adults. There is no tumor, but pressure builds in the brain. In
addition to headaches, symptoms may include vomiting, an unsteady
way of walking, and vision problems that may become permanent if
not treated.
-
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Girls who are overweight may miss periods - or not get their
periods at all - and may have elevated testosterone (the male
hormone) levels in the blood. Although it is normal for girls to
have some testosterone in their blood, too much can interfere
with normal ovulation and may cause excess hair growth, worsening
acne, and male-type baldness. PCOS is associated with insulin
resistance, a precursor to developing type 2 diabetes. Women who
are overweight also might have fertility problems.
-
Insulin resistance and diabetes.
When there is excess body fat, insulin is less effective at
getting glucose, the body's main source of energy, into
cells. More insulin becomes needed to maintain a normal blood
sugar. For some overweight teens, insulin resistance may progress
to diabetes (high blood sugar).
-
Depression.
People who are obese are more likely to be depressed and have
lower self-esteem.
Luckily, it's never too late to make changes that can
effectively control weight and the health problems it causes. Those
changes don't have to be big. For a start,
make a plan
to cut back on sugary beverages, pass up on seconds, and get more
exercise, even if it's just 5-10 minutes a day. Build your way
up to big changes by making a series of small ones. And don't
be afraid to ask for help!
Reviewed by:
Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: April 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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