In America and worldwide, teenage obesity is becoming a problem of epidemic proportions. In recent years, the total number of obese teens and children has tripled. This is an alarming rate not only due to the social ramifications on the overweight teens self esteem but on the health issues that will plague each child that is technically obese or even morbidly obese.

Defining Obesity Is Important Training For Teenage America

Medical science is proving that the health issues involved in a person maintaining a body weight in excess of 20% of their medically identified ideal weight can cause increased blood pressure, heath problems, diabetes and many more health complications. Many obese teens do not even know the true definition of obesity or that their current body size falls with that classification. It is the hope of many scientists, government officials, teachers and parents that through the definition and educational programs involving obesity many teens will modify their eating and behavior habits at a young age and not become affected with the problems and complications of adult onset obesity.

For many teens, obesity is a learned behavior that has been taught to them due to the influences of their parents, friends and extended family members. Research has proven that the current causes of teen obesity go beyond the once believed culprit, genetics. Today, sources are proving that it is the mindset and the lifestyle practices that are having the biggest influence on the weight of obese teens.

The Different External Influence Affect Teenagers Choices

Food Choices such as fast food, fried foods, high sugar sodas and candies, each of these items causes increased weight gain. Many of Americas teens are not taught the value and importance of choosing fresh fruits, fresh vegetable and natural flavored nuts for snacks. In recent years, governmental agencies have recognized the need for this dietary training and in many cases federal and local governments are now funding dietary training courses to change the eating behavior of Americas youth.

In addition to poor food choices, Americas youth has become very sedentary in their extra curricular behaviors. American teens are becoming obese because they are inactive. Computers, satellite television and video games are all activities that are done inside the house and while seated. In previous decades, children ran and played outside as much as they could before it got dark or dinner was ready. Today, most teens are home alone after school, eating whatever snacks they choose and sitting in front of one electronic device or another. The result is a generation of obese teens that are dealing with many different weight related health issues.

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