Teen obesity has become a common problem among the youth nowadays. The percentage of adolescents suffering from teen obesity has significantly increased in the recent years, which is why new researches are constantly being conducted in the field in order to find new discoveries that could help them manage this condition. One of these researches was published in the online International Journal of Obesity. Researchers handling the paper wanted to examine the impact that breakfast can have on adolescents. They reached the conclusion that eating breakfast is very important in fighting teen obesity.

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The study also showed how teenagers who eat breakfast on a regular basis have a healthier diet and are more engaged in physical activity throughout their teen years than those who do not eat breakfast. Moreover, the chances of them becoming overweight or obese are significantly lower and they have a lower body mass index. According to the latest statistics, an estimated 12-34% of teenagers skip breakfast and are not aware of how important this meal is. Not only can eating breakfast regularly prevent teen obesity, but it can also help fight and manage this condition. Breakfast is therefore the first step in fighting teen obesity and preventing the health problems that come with it (including diabetes mellitus type 2, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, heart disease and liver disease).

How can eating breakfast help beat teen obesity, though? Teen obesity has numerous causes, but it is basically related to overeating and the lack of physical activity. Adolescents who have unhealthy eating habits are more prone to develop teen obesity. Eating breakfast leads to an increased feeling of fullness and satiety and reduces the feeling of hunger later in the day. This means that eating breakfast helps adolescents avoid overeating throughout the rest of the day. In other words, eating in the morning prevents eating a lot in the evening. Even though breakfast is important regardless of its composition, high protein egg breakfasts can significantly help those with teen obesity. This is because eating a breakfast rich in protein reduces hunger, while still maximizing the beneficial effects of protein.

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The study conducted by the International Journal of Obesity showed that participants who ate a high protein breakfast were less hungry and ate about 130 fewer calories at lunch. Another study conducted by researcher Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, PhD, of the University of Minnesota, showed similar results. The study was based on a group of 2,216 adolescents from public schools in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, whose dietary and weight patterns were analyzed over a five-year period (1998-1999 to 2003-2004). The results of the study were published in the journal Pediatrics, showing that adolescents eating breakfast regularly had a lower percentage of total calories from saturated fats than those who skipped breakfast. They also ate more fibers and carbohydrates and seemed more physically active. Over time, teenagers eating breakfast on a regular basis gained less weight and had a lower body mass index.

Numerous people have the misconception that skipping breakfast lowers their caloric intake and therefore helps them lose weight. As the aforementioned studies show, this is completely false. Moreover, eating breakfast actually helps adolescents with teen obesity manage their weight problem. They will no longer crave for snacks in the middle of the night and they will feel full throughout the day. Eating three meals a day is very important, thus. And it all starts with breakfast. Children and adolescents need protein in order to grow and remain healthy. This is why a protein-rich breakfast is recommended for everyone, not only for those with teen obesity. Food sources that are rich in protein supply the building blocks teenagers need in order to grow and the energy they need in order to stay focused throughout the day and become more involved in physical activities.

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Examples of foods that are high in protein include:
- eggs, which are perfect for breakfast;
- dairy products: milk, cheese, yogurt, which are also great calcium sources;
- beans
- seafood provides high quality protein in fishes such as salmon and tuna, which also contain Omega-3 Fatty Acids that are great for the brain and heart;
- meat, especially lean white meats such as poultry (turkey or chicken) and beef;
- almonds, which are nutritional nuts, and almond butter, which is less toxic and allergenic than peanut butter.

These are excellent sources of protein which, besides meat, all make a healthy and delicious breakfast. It is important for these breakfast ingredients to be fresh and preferably purchased from local farmers markets. An example of a healthy, delicious and nicely presented breakfast that even fast-food addicts will love is mini breakfast pizzas. A mini breakfast pizza is made by topping an English muffin with pizza sauce, scrambled eggs, cheese and oregano. Healthy, yummy and easy to make! And do not forget that encouraging children and adolescents to regularly eat breakfast is an important way of combating teen obesity.

As the number of adolescents struggling with teen obesity is increasing by the day, weight loss surgery is becoming a viable option for most of them. Even though weight loss surgery for teen obesity is still controversial, given the young age of the patients undergoing the procedure, several successful cases of adolescents undergoing weight loss surgery have been registered. Some doctors still state that allowing adolescents to have weight loss surgery is a questionable choice, given the high risks implied by such a procedure. 17 year old Sydney says that she would not hesitate in making this choice again, though. She was an adolescent struggling with teen obesity who decided that weight loss surgery is the only way for her to improve her health.

At the age of 16, Sydney weighed 312 pounds, having a body mass index (BMI) of 49 kg/m2. This means that she was 123% over her ideal body weight. Moreover, she was already suffering from numerous health effects caused by teen obesity, including diabetes mellitus type 2, high blood pressure, fatty liver disease, hypertriglyceridemia, and polycystic ovary syndrome (irregular menstrual periods). These are all common health problems associated with teen obesity, and Sydney was suffering from all of them. Despite her resorting to weight loss surgery, she did not do that without attempting to lose weight on her own. Throughout the years, Sydney participated in numerous prolonged attempts that were supervised by physicians and organized within her endocrinologist’s office. Her attempts were not utterly unsuccessful, given the fact that she managed to lose 20 pounds. However, she did not manage to maintain the weight loss.

As the health effects caused by teen obesity were becoming more and more severe, she decided that it was time for a more drastic approach, namely weight loss surgery. Weight loss surgery for teenagers so young was a controversial topic, though. Luckily for her, her endocrinologist recommended her for the Surgical Weight Loss Program for Teens at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. During the assessment, doctors found that Sydney was also suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and had a very high insulin level (67 micro international units per deciliter). Therefore, the weight management team had to carefully evaluate her situation and decide whether weight loss surgery is an option, given the risk and benefits that the surgery implies. Sydney and her parents were ready to give it a try, so she was offered the chance to undergo laparoscopic gastric bypass as a solution to her teen obesity problem.

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The surgery went just fine and was uneventful. Sydney was discharged after only 4 days from the surgical intervention, which is actually typical for patients her age. After the surgery, the improvements regarding teen obesity and the other conditions triggered by it were becoming visible by the day. Her blood glucose level had become normal; hence she did no longer need to continue taking her diabetes medicine. From 312 pounds, her weight had decreased to 290 pounds, 3 weeks after the surgery. Sydney was eating 4 meals a day, her daily caloric intake being estimated at 485 calories per day, which is less than 25% of her caloric intake prior to undergoing the surgery. At the 3 months follow-up, Sydney’s weight had already decreased to 225 pounds, meaning that she had lost 13% of the excess body weight. Her body mass index decreased as well (from 49 to 35.1). She soon became to engage in physical activities and was very pleased with this fact. Instead of tormenting herself with exhausting workouts at the gym, Sydney resorted to physical activities she found enjoying, such as dancing (3 times/week), biking (30 min, 2-3 times/week), doing calisthenics (250 sit-ups, 3 times/week), and using weight resistance machines for her legs and arms (2-3 times/week).

One year after undergoing teen obesity weight loss surgery, Sydney weighed 171 pounds and had been able to lose 141 pounds, which is the equivalent for 81% of her excess body weight. Her blood work, ferritin, iron, protein and albuminum levels were within normal limits, so she has no health problem from a nutritional point of view. After her 12-month checkup, Sydney continued to be engaged in physical activity on a frequent basis and to maintain healthy dietary habits. This case illustrates that weight loss surgery can help overcome teen obesity. Combined with physical activity and a proper nutritional approach, teen obesity weight loss surgery can be the solution in managing this condition. The only thing to remember when considering weight loss surgery as a solution against teen obesity is that being evaluated by a weight management team is very important.

The health effects of teen obesity are quite frightening, as they can have a serious impact on the wellbeing of the obese adolescent. One of the most common health effects of teen obesity is diabetes mellitus type 2. Diabetes mellitus, or simply diabetes, represents a group of metabolic conditions that are characterized by high sugar levels in the blood which mostly result from a deficient insulin secretion. Insulin is a hormone naturally produced by the pancreas in order to lower the blood glucose(sugar) level. Insulin also helps sugar get into the cells, which need it in order to work properly. Not enough insulin or the body not responding to insulin means sugar buildups in the blood. This is what diabetes mellitus actually is.

There are two types of diabetes, namely diabetes mellitus type 1 and diabetes mellitus type 2. Diabetes mellitus type 1 is triggered when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, meaning that the patients diagnosed with this type of diabetes are insulin-dependents. Diabetes mellitus type 2 develops when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, when the body becomes resistant to normal or high levels of insulin, or in both cases. Formerly known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and adult-onset diabetes, diabetes mellitus type 2 is defined as a chronic condition that affects the way in which the body metabolizes sugar. Regardless of whether the body resists the insulin effects or it does not produce enough insulin in order to maintain the glucose level within normal limits, diabetes mellitus type 2 is still life-threatening if not treated properly. Individuals with diabetes mellitus type 2 need to be constantly monitored and attended. In the past, researchers believed that diabetes mellitus type 2 was only affecting the population of age 40 and older. However, with teen obesity becoming such a pandemic in the world today, diabetes mellitus type 2 is now common with people of all ages. Moreover, even 2-year-olds have been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 2.

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The main causes of diabetes mellitus type 2 are genetics and environmental factors. Many people who have been diagnosed with this condition have a family history of diabetes. With first degree relatives, the risk of developing diabetes mellitus type 2 is up to 10 times higher. Other medical conditions are also associated with diabetes mellitus type 2, including teen obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Environmental factors also have to do with diabetes mellitus type 2. People with poor eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle are at great risk of developing diabetes mellitus type 2. This means that adolescents suffering from teen obesity are likely to develop this condition at one point or another. Unfortunately, the symptoms of diabetes mellitus type 2 are often absent when the condition develops. When they do develop, the most common symptoms include urinary urgency, constant thirst, involuntary weight loss, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, fatigue and blurred vision. In order to diagnose diabetes mellitus type 2, several blood tests need to be performed, including random blood sugar test, fasting blood sugar test, hemoglobin A1C test and oral glucose tolerance test.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for diabetes mellitus type 2, but there are certain diabetes medications and insulin therapy treatments that the patient can resort to in order to manage this condition. When it comes to teen obesity, managing diabetes mellitus type 2 can be quite challenging, though. If an adolescent has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 2 and he already suffers from teen obesity, then s/he needs to radically change his/her lifestyle. Teen obesity can be overcame with diet and exercise, and the same principle applies to diabetes mellitus type 2. If these are not enough, then additional medication and insulin therapy are always welcomed. The National Health Services recommend self-monitoring the blood glucose level in order to maintain it in the normal range. In the recent years, doctors have reached the conclusion that teen obesity weight loss surgery can be effective in treating diabetes mellitus type 2. Numerous adolescents who have underwent teen obesity weight loss surgery are now able to maintain normal glucose levels with little or no medication.

However, diabetes mellitus type 2 and teen obesity are still of major concern. As of 2010, statistics showed that an estimated 285 million people worldwide were suffering from diabetes mellitus type 2. in the United States alone, about 17 million people are suffering from this condition, which is the equivalent of about 8% of the total population. Since teen obesity is also on the rise, no wonder that more and more obese adolescents are developing diabetes mellitus type 2, as well. Moreover, diabetes mellitus type 2 makes up about 90% of all the diabetes cases in Europe, the United States and Canada. Furthermore, certain ethnic groups such as Hispanics, African-American and Asian people are more likely to develop diabetes mellitus type 2. Diabetes mellitus type 2 is a chronic disease and can lead to severe complications such as cardiovascular disease, lower limb amputations and many hospitalizations. Also, diabetes mellitus type 2 is associated with a 10-year shorter life expectancy, so it must be taken very seriously, especially by those with teen obesity.

Teen obesity is triggered by a wide array of causes, the most common ones being dietary habits, sedentary lifestyle, genetics, environmental factors, development issues, medical conditions and psychological factors. While all these causes are of great importance and should be treated properly, a special deal of attention should be paid to the psychological factors. This is because the mental health of an adolescent can have a decisive role in the development and management of teen obesity. On contrary to people’s beliefs, food is not the only cause of teen obesity. Psychological factors and certain risk factors also contribute to adolescents developing weight problems. Consequently, the psychological problems worsen, as well.

1,520 children ages 9-10 were surveyed by researchers and their behavior was observed in the following 4 years. The research led to the conclusion that teen obesity and low self esteem are positively correlated. Researchers have also reached the conclusion that low self esteem led to 19% of the surveyed obese children feeling sad and 21% of them feeling nervous. Moreover, 48% of those children were feeling bored. The American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry has even stated that decreased self esteem is one of the risk factors for teen obesity. Adolescents who do not feel highly about themselves and their body usually develop a sedentary lifestyle and are no longer concerned with taking the necessary steps in order to remain healthy. Therefore, they isolate themselves in their room, preferring TV and video games over outdoor and social activities. Furthermore, talking to them about their weight problem only makes them more self-conscious and causes additional self esteem problems. Having a poor body image causes adolescents to avoid engaging in physical activities, especially if they imply spending time with others.

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Children usually learn about body awareness at an early age and are daily affected by the society judging them. Superficial characteristics such as weight problems and looks are often causing harsh personal judgments. With teen obesity being looked upon undesirably in today’s society, obese children and adolescents are subjected on a daily basis to stereotypes and are often bullied. Therefore, they end up with decreased self esteem, which severely affects them on the mental level. Studies have shown that obese adolescents who also have self esteem issues are more prone to developing additional emotional issues, such as loneliness, anxiety and depression. Moreover, many of the obese adolescents who are bullied are likely to experience drinking, smoking and taking drugs. They also develop low self esteem due to the way in which the perception of others reflects on them. This perception determines how others react to them, which consequently affects their self esteem.

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Adolescents who have a poor body image and implicitly low self esteem are often very shy. They are also submitted to the stress of taunting, which means that they are at risk of anxiety. Being shy prevents them from socializing with other peers. Moreover, they begin to dread being at school and participating in P.E. classes, just because they are different from other kids. Dealing with a condition such as teen obesity becomes very stressful and can even lead to social stigmatization. Anxiety, poor school performance and dropping out of school are possible and frequent consequences of this type of stress. Social struggles with peers are unfortunately very common nowadays. Obese teens are mocked, bullied and teased by their peers, which also leads to behavioral problems and preschool-related anxiety. This means that they are simply over-stressed in the morning, when they know they have to go to school. The lack and avoidance of positive social interactions can depress obese adolescents. It can even prevent them from reaching their full potential. It is a shame how such psychological problems can lead to such horrible and unfortunate consequences.

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Dealing with teen obesity on the psychological level also leads to obese adolescents turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as emotional eating. They find a refuge in food and are under the impression that by eating, they no longer have to deal with the stress and anxiety they are experiencing on a daily basis. This is a destructive eating habit, though, which leads to a vicious cycle: eating, gaining weight, depression, more eating, more weight gain, and so on. Teen obesity and stress can also lead to binge eating or compulsive overeating, which consists of episodes of uncontrollable eating. A research was made on 28 adolescent girls in order to test the stress inventory. The results of the study showed that the girls who were binge eating scored 29.65 points on the stress scale, while the control group only had 15.19 points. The psychological causes of teen obesity are multiple and diverse, but the main ones are low self esteem, anxiety and emotional eating. Every child and adolescents is different, which means that s/he responds differently to the emotions s/he is subjected to on a daily basis.

Weight loss surgery is often recommended to children and adolescents suffering from teen obesity. As teen obesity has grown to be an epidemic in the United States, the number of patients who consider weight loss surgery is increasing by the day. While weight loss surgery is a viable option for many candidates, not anyone can resort to this alternative. Prior to bariatric surgery being regarded as the answer to teen obesity, adolescents should take part of centers with multidisciplinary weight management teams or enroll in a weight-loss camp. In this way, specialists can evaluate and manage teen obesity through the eyes of psychologists, nutritionists, physical activity instructors and weight loss surgeons. Additionally, adolescent medicine, pulmonology, cardiology, gastroenterology, endocrinology and orthopedics expertise might also help.

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So when should adolescents suffering from teen obesity consider weight loss surgery? First of all, weight loss surgery is not the easy way out. This alternative should only be considered by adolescents who have failed to lose weight for six or more months. If their weight loss attempts have been unsuccessful despite their weight management approaches, then weight loss surgery might be a solution. Weight loss management refers to changes in the dietary habits and to an increased participation in physical activities. Besides this criteria, teen obesity should be treated by means of bariatric surgery if adolescents have reached or nearly reached physiologic and skeletal maturity. This means that girls of age 13 or younger and boys of age 15 or younger should not even consider weight loss surgery.

In order to be a candidate for weight loss surgery, adolescents should be severely obese, meaning that their body index needs to be greater than 40 and they should have serious problems triggered by or related to teen obesity. If adolescents have a BMI greater than 50 and their teen obesity related problems are not that severe, then bariatric surgery might also be an option. Someone who is considering weight loss surgery should meet all these criteria. It is not enough to be obese in order to qualify for weight loss surgery. Numerous other psychological factors need to be considered, too. Adolescents with teen obesity who want to undergo weight loss surgery should have the capability and willpower of adhering to a strict nutrition plan following the procedure. The best example to illustrate this point is gastric bypass surgery, which implies a very low caloric intake and a low-carb diet with more than 0.5 grams of protein per kilogram a day. Daily multivitamins and supplements might be needed, as well.

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Female patients should be extra careful when it comes to teen obesity weight loss surgery. They need to agree to avoid pregnancy for at least one year after going through with the surgery, because the fetus’s development will be put at risk due to the rapid weight loss. Regardless of how old or young the patient is, s/he needs to prove that s/he has the ability of making sound decisions. S/he also needs to provide consent to the surgery on her/his own terms, without being rushed or forced to agree to this surgery by someone else. Family plays a very important part here, as the patient should have a supportive family environment in order to get through with the surgery and manage to get rid of teen obesity. Being in a good place from a psychological point of view is therefore very important in order for adolescents with teen obesity to go through this procedure and, more important, to develop a healthy lifestyle after the surgery.

However, weight loss surgery is not an option for certain adolescents. For instance, those with a medically correctable teen obesity cause should not even think about weight loss surgery. Adolescents who have had or are still having a substance abuse problem are not viable candidates for bariatric surgery, either. If pregnancy or pregnancy plans are foreseen in the near future, meaning two years after surgery, teen obesity weight loss surgery is not an option, either. Last, but not least, adolescents and/or parents who do not fully comprehend what bariatric surgeries imply and what are their consequences should get thoroughly informed before resorting to any kind of procedures. Asking for a medical opinion in this case is a good idea, since opting for one teen obesity weight loss surgery type of another depends on several factors.

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Completing a physical exam and counseling sessions will also be necessary. After that, the doctor will run several tests, including fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1C measurements, liver function tests, lipid profile tests, complete blood counts, pregnancy tests, thyroid function tests, nutrient deficiencies screening, bone age assessment, and sleep studies in patients with sleep apnea. If all these tests are in order and s/he does not fall in the aforementioned categories, then the adolescent is ready for teen obesity weight loss surgery. Remember that bariatric surgery should be regarded as a procedure of last resort, and not as a procedure meant to improve the aesthetics.

What is weight loss surgery

Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, is a term designating a variety of procedures that are normally performed on overweight and obese individuals. As teen obesity is on the rise, the number of adolescents who are considering weight loss surgery is increasing by the day. This is why, prior to undergoing bariatric surgery, they should know more about this type of procedures and what they involve. By means of bariatric surgery, those suffering from teen obesity can achieve a significant weight loss. Weight loss surgery works on two principles: it either limits the amount of food that individuals can take in or it restricts the amount of food that individuals can digest. There are three main types of weight loss surgical procedures: predominantly malabsorptive procedures, predominantly restrictive procedures and mixed procedures.

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Predominantly malabsorptive procedures imply reducing the size of the stomach by means of an implanted medical device, also known as gastric banding. These procedures reduce the stomach size and are mainly based on creating malabsorbtion. Biliopancreatic diversion and endolumincal sleeve fall into this category.
Predominantly restrictive procedures imply the removal of a portion in the stomach. They are restrictive and have the purpose of reducing oral intake by limiting gastric volume. They also produce early satiety and leave the alimentary canal in continuity, therefore minimizing the risk of metabolic complications. The most common procedures of this kind are vertical banded gastroplasty, gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, intragastric balloon, gastric plication and biopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch.
Mixed procedures is the last weight loss surgery category, the one in which both of the aforementioned techniques are applied simultaneously. Gastric bypass surgery sleeve gastrectomy with duodenal switch and implantable gastric stimulation are mixed weight loss surgical procedures.

When is weight loss surgery needed

The National Institutes of Health in the United States specified the recommendations regarding weight loss surgery. Bariatric surgery is therefore suggested for obese individuals whose body mass index is of at least 40. Individuals with a body mass index of 35 who suffer from coexisting medical conditions such as diabetes are also eligible for weight loss surgery. Even though the teen obesity rates are soaring, weight loss surgery in their case is quite uncommon. Between 2000 and 2003, the number of adolescents suffering from teen obesity who have decided to undergo weight loss surgery has tripled. However, the number of teen obesity patients who opt for these surgeries is still low. Adolescents with teen obesity represent less than 1% of the patients who resort to these surgeries, according to the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. Doctors usually recommend weight loss surgery if, besides teen obesity, adolescents are suffering from other conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, joint problems, sleep problems, liver problems, lung and breathing issues, and increasing pressure in the brain which can cause further problems such as vision impairment and blindness. These are actually the most common health effects of teen obesity.

Therefore, teen obesity weight loss surgery is recommended if the adolescent’s additional health problems caused by teen obesity poses a greater health threat than the potential surgery risk. Everyone knows that any type of surgery implies some risks. With teen obesity weight loss procedures, the risks are even higher, considering that, according to the statistics, one out of every 200 patients will die during the surgery. Moreover, no studies have been made as to reveal the long-term effects that weight loss surgery can have on the adolescent’s future growth, nor does it guarantee that s/he will lose all the excess weight. Plus, no one can really guarantee that adolescents will be able to keep the weight off on the long-run. Teen obesity patients should also remember that weight loss surgery is not the solution to get out of dieting and exercising. They still need to maintain a healthy diet and get engaged in regular physical activity on the long-term, even after undergoing weight loss surgery. There are certain factors that determine when is the right time for adolescents with teen obesity to resort to bariatric surgery, which will be explained and detailed in a future article. The specific types of weight loss surgical procedures will also be presented in detail.

The management of teen obesity implies both dieting and physical exercise. Losing weight is not possible without these actions. Dieting is, however, not that pleasant, especially amongst adolescents suffering from teen obesity. This is because they are used to eating fast food products or junk food, which may be delicious, but they are also very dangerous. In fact, researchers have been saying for quite some time now that poor diet habits are the main cause of teen obesity. The Zone diet is one of the best and most successful approaches in defeating teen obesity by means of a diet plan. The Zone diet is more than a simple weight loss program, it is a lifestyle.

The Zone diet was created and promoted by biochemist Barry Sears, who is also the author of publications such as The Zone: A Dietary Road Map to Lose Weight Permanently: Reset Your Genetic Code: Prevent Disease: Achieve Maximum Performance, Mastering the Zone, Zone Perfect Meals in Minutes, Zone Food Blocks, A Week in the Zone, Toxic Fats: When Good Fat Turns Bad, and many other books and articles on the Zone diet that individuals suffering from teen obesity can get inspired from. The Zone diet works on a very simple principle. It implies achieving hormonal balance by eating skillfully prepared meals. The Zone diet is also known as 40:30:30, because these are the percentages of carbohydrates, fats and proteins the body needs in order to function properly, yet still enhance weight loss. This ratio is considered to be an ideal formula. The Zone diet therefore helps adolescents with teen obesity lose weight, while increasing their overall wellbeing and reducing cellular inflammation, which is known to cause weight gain and to accelerate chronic diseases.

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Dr. Barry Sears came up with the Zone diet after realizing the hormonal effects of food on cellular inflammation. Those who approach the Zone diet must follow low-carbohydrate diet plans, in which proteins must not dominate carbohydrates. This means that dieters still get the energy they need, but from carbohydrates rather than from proteins or fats. Those who want to stay “in the Zone” and get rid of teen obesity should know that adjusting to this diet plan will not be easy. They must keep a close watch on their meals, which are not supposed to exceed 500 calories. Regarding snacks, they should not exceed 100 calories. Nevertheless, every meal should be calculated around the 40:30:30 ratio. Besides losing weight and defeating teen obesity, the Zone diet also improves the energy level and mental clarity, so it basically enhances health and an overall wellbeing.

Manuel Uribe is the living proof that the Zone diet can fight teen obesity. This obesity case is actually very famous. When he got started with the Zone diet, he weighed about 1264 lbs (560 kg). Within 2 years, he had already lost 405 lbs (184 kg). Uribe stated that he had tried numerous diets prior to approaching the Zone diet, which is the only diet to have had a positive impact on him. Currently, Manuel Uribe has a 2,000 daily caloric intake, broken up into six meals. Fresh salads, egg-white omelets, fish fillet and chicken fajitas are among the foods included in his diet plan. The Zone diet actually recommends foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, leafy green vegetables and sufficient protein consumption. Drinking eight glasses of water every day is also advisable. The Zone diet bans processed foods and salty meals and prefers mono-unsaturated fats instead of saturated fats. Nevertheless, the Zone diet is not as restrictive as people think. Even if you suffer from teen obesity, you could still enjoy some occasional treats.

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Here is a menu example you could try:
Breakfast → Egg and Prosciutto. You need 1 Wasa Cracker, 2 hard boiled eggs, 2 oz. of Prosciutto, 1 cup of grapes and 3 almonds.
Lunch → Lemon and Fennel Salad. You need 7 oz. Of feta cheese with reduced fat, 4 bulbs of fennel, 1 ½ cups of pears, 2 Tbsp. of soaked raisins, 1 ¼ cups of white wine, 1 Tbsp. of sesame seeds, 2 Tsp. of zone extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper.
Dinner → Turkey Tips with Asparagus. You need: 6 ounces of turkey breast, 2 red or yellow peppers, 2 cups of asparagus, 1 cup of canned pineapple cubes, vegetable broth, salt and 2 teaspoons of zone extra virgin olive oil.

There are many Zone diet recipes which are healthy, delicious and easy to make. Since the Internet is at the tip of your fingers, you could use it to search for Zone diet recipes which you can prepare in a matter of minutes, in the comfort of your own home. Examples here include vegetable lasagna, cool pasta salad, spicy seafood casserole, hamburger-sour cream and many others. Make sure that prior to preparing a meal, you check out the nutritional value of the ingredients. The Internet comes to the rescue regarding this aspect as well, since it provides numerous Zone diet calculators which you can use, even for free. These types of Zone diet software applications will analyze the macronutrient components of each ingredient and will also compile recipes in real time. The Zone diet is therefore extremely beneficial for those who suffer from teen obesity but are trying to defeat this condition and develop a healthy lifestyle.

In today’s society, teenagers would rather watch TV or spend hours in front of their computers than working out. With the development in technology, more and more adolescents are drawn to TV, computers and video-game consoles, which for some turn out to be even addictive. No wonder that they lead a sedentary lifestyle and that the teen obesity statistics show skyrocket rates. Even though public health experts link the lack of physical activity to teen obesity, a recent study has shown that the lack of exercise may not be to blame, after all. While it is true that adolescents are not as active as they should be, it seems that them not being engaged in physical activities may not explain the development of teen obesity.

Researchers have come to the conclusion that in the recent years, adolescents in the United States have averaged more time in gym class than in front of the TV. This conclusion has been reached after investigating survey data collected from 1991 to 2007. Furthermore, no evidence has been found as to show that the exercise levels of teenagers have changed during the study period, despite the teen obesity rates increasing during those years. However, regular physical activity can reduce sedentary behaviors, therefore promoting good health and preventing teen obesity from occurring. Even though it seems that poor exercise habits are not the main teen obesity cause, being engaged in physical activity is one of the factors that can contribute to the improvement of the rates regarding this condition.

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Adolescents who are physically active are not at risk of developing teen obesity, nor other conditions caused by a sedentary lifestyle. Becoming more active is therefore safe for those suffering from teen obesity. If you are considering engaging in physical activities and workout routines, there are some things you should know beforehand. By going through a list of affirmations, you will know whether checking with your doctor prior to becoming more active is a good idea. Answer with True or False and make sure that you do not cheat. There are no right or wrong answers. Your health is at stake, so please be genuine, because by not being honest, you will only be lying to yourself.

1. Your doctor told you that you have a heart condition and that engaging in physical activity should only be recommended by a doctor.
2. You feel pain in your chest when you exercise.
3. You felt pain in your chest in the last month when you were not engaged in physical activity.
4. You have a joint or bone problem which could worsen by changing your physical activity habits.
5. Dizziness caused you to lose your balance or even to lose your consciousness.
6. Your doctor is currently prescribing you drugs for your blood pressure or heart condition.
7. There are other reasons why you should not become more physically active.

If one ore more of the above affirmations are true, then you need to consult with your doctor prior to engaging in any type of physical activity. You need to tell your doctor which are the statements which you marked true, so s/he can give you proper recommendations. Most probably, you will need to take it one step at a time and to start slowly, then building up the difficulty of your exercise routines gradually. Some activities may be restricted, so you must also talk with your doctor about the types of activities you are allowed to participate in. If all the statements in the survey are false, then you need not worry. You can start engaging in physical activities whenever you want to and even take part in a fitness appraisal. However, you should still begin slowly, because no exercise routine will be helpful otherwise.

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Other reasons why you should wait a while until becoming more physically active, not related to teen obesity, are temporary illnesses like a cold, a flu, or fever. Wait until the symptoms improve and only then engage in physical activities. If you are pregnant, consulting with your doctor beforehand is also advisable. If everything is in order, then you have no reason why not to let go of your sedentary lifestyle and start fighting teen obesity. Although some adolescents might argue that they do not like to exercise, there are so many fun and exciting programs nowadays they could approach in their attempt to fight teen obesity. Examples here include riding a bike, walking across the block, using the stairs instead of the elevator, walking the dog, doing light chores, resistance rowing, using small weights for arm exercises, wall push, swimming, and playing other fun sports. Moreover, there are many community fitness programs intended for those suffering from teen obesity and for overweight people, in general. Remember that teen obesity cannot be overcame without physical exercise, so take all these things into consideration and start fighting your condition.

Teen obesity has become a subject of major concern over the last decade. The reasons behind this fact do not only have to do with the increasing number of adolescents suffering from this condition, but also with the health effects that teen obesity can have on them. Teen obesity is definitely bad news, since it can mess with both the physical and mental wellbeing of children and adolescents. As they get older, teens suffering from teen obesity can develop numerous health problems and diseases. The most common ones include type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance, hypertension and predisposition for cardiac disease, orthopedic problems, arthritis and sleep problems.

Diabetes mellitus type 2, also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, is a metabolic disorder which can be triggered by teen obesity. Type 2 diabetes implies high blood glucose levels in the context of insulin resistance and even insulin deficiency. Its main symptoms include constant hunger, frequent urination, and excess thirst. Scientists have reached the conclusion that obesity in general, therefore teen obesity as well, is the main cause of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes has a 10-year shorter life expectancy, due to the fact that it can degenerate into complications such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, lower limb amputations, non-traumatic blindness, acanthosis nigricans, sexual dysfunction, kidney failure, and various other infections. Individuals suffering from this disease are also at risk of developing cognitive dysfunction and dementia. Insulin resistance may also progress to diabetes.

Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular disease, is a series of conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the most common heart disease linked to teen obesity. This is a chronic medical condition which implies an elevated blood pressure in the arteries. This means that the heart must work harder in order for the blood to circulate through the blood vessels. Unfortunately, hypertension rarely presents any symptoms. Adolescents suffering from teen obesity and hypertension are at risk of stroke, heart failure, myocardial infarction, aneurysms of the arteries, chronic kidney disease, and peripheral arterial disease. A shortened life expectancy is also linked to this condition.

Source: http://mykentuckyheart.com

Orthopedic (bone) problems develop due to the bones’ inability to support the excess weight. The best example here is Blount’s disease, also known as tibia vara, a condition that leads to an abnormal growth of the tibia, causing the lower leg to angle inward. The cause of this growth disorder has not been fully clarified, although researchers believe that it occurs due to the effects of weight on the growth plate. Unlike other growth disorders which improve over time, Blount’s disease is progressive, so it will worsen as time goes by. Blount’s disease can even cause severe bowing of the legs, therefore preventing the adolescents suffering from teen obesity to walk. Slipped capital femoral epiphyses, or SCFE, is another orthopedic condition that teen obesity patients may develop and it is a very painful hip problem that requires immediate care.

Arthritis is a joint condition characterized by the inflammation of one or more joints. The most common symptoms of this condition include joint pain and stiffness, swelling, and a constant ache around the joints. In the United States, arthritis is the main cause of disability, with over 20 million individuals being severely limited by it. As arthritis can prevent individuals from engaging in any type of physical activity, teen obesity can worsen. High cholesterol, heart disease and depression are potential risks that people suffering from arthritis are facing.

Sleep problems are also a consequence of teen obesity. Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep problems associated with teen obesity, since it is characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing during sleep. Basically, individuals suffering from sleep apnea temporarily stop breathing when they sleep. Sleep apnea can lead to tiredness, difficulties in learning and concentrating, and heart problems.

Source: http://www.everythingessential.me

Other teen obesity health effects include asthma, gallbladder disease and gallstones, kidney disease, pancreatitis, gastrointestinal disorders, fatty liver, nerve damage, eye diseases, hormonal disorders, as well as other skeletal problems. In girls, teen obesity may cause polycystic ovary syndrome to develop, leading to missing periods and a high testosterone level in the blood. Obese girls might also face fertility problems. Pseudotumor cerebri is not actually a tumor, but as pressure builds in the brain, it causes severe headaches in adolescents with teen obesity. Other symptoms include vision problems, unsteady walking, and vomiting, which might become irreversible if they are left untreated. Depression is another common health effect of teen obesity, since adolescents facing this disease have a low self-esteem.

The number of children and adolescents worldwide suffering from teen obesity is alarmingly increasing by the year. The multiple causes behind this fact have been longly discussed, but it is generally believed that teen obesity is on the rise due to the fact that children and adolescents nowadays have more access to fast-food products and junk foods. Teen obesity means an excessive fat accumulation in the body, which causes children and teenagers to weigh at least 20% more than the ideal body weight for their age. From 1963, when teen obesity started to affect more and more children, the statistics regarding this condition have changed a lot.

Although both boys and girls have been affected by teen obesity over the last 45 years, statistics have shown that males are more prone to develop this condition. Recent studies have shown that 21.2% of teenage boys were suffering from teen obesity, while only 18% of the girls were facing this condition. This statistic is based on American teenagers age 12 to 19. In 2007, only 16.3% of boys and 9.6% of girls were obese. As you can see, the teen obesity statistics are becoming more and more dark as the years go by. Additionally, 15% of children and adolescents are at risk of developing teen obesity.

Source: http://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com

Studies have been performed based on age and race/ethnicity criteria, as well. One of the latest statistics has shown that children and adolescents of Hispanic/Latino heritage have the highest childhood obesity rates, while African Americans have the highest teen obesity rates. White children and teenagers have the lowest rates. Nevertheless, these rates are still alarming, since 19% of children and 15.6% of adolescents were suffering from obesity in 2008. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development revealed that 17% of children and adolescents aged 2-19 are suffering from teen obesity, which is the equivalent of about 12.5 million individuals. The percentage of teens suffering from teen obesity has nearly tripled from the 1970s. In the United States alone, 15.8% of teens are suffering from teen obesity. This rate was of 14.4% in previous years.

Source: http://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com

What are they doing to fight teen obesity, though?
- 35.4% watch TV more 3 hours or more per day;
- 78.6% do not eat the recommended 5 daily servings of fruit and vegetables;
- 65.3% are not involved in physical activities;
- 33.8% drink sugary beverages at least once a day;
- 25% engage in light physical activity, such as walking or bicycling;
- only 45.2% of adolescents suffering from teen obesity are trying to lose weight.
These statistics are proof that teen obesity is caused by poor dietary habits and the lack of physical activity.

What do parents have to say about that?
- 78% believe that P.E. classes should be in the school schedule;
- 12% think that their child is overweight;
- 27% agree that children eat less healthy than in previous years;
- 24% feel that adolescents become less and less involved in physical activity.

Statistics may show that parents are well aware of teen obesity, but despite this fact, if they do not take matter into their own hands, the results can be severe. Here are some teen obesity statistics on the consequences which might arise due to this condition:
- 70% of the obese and overweight children or adolescents are at risk or becoming obese and overweight adults;
- 80% of them are likely to become obese adults if one or both parents are overweight or obese;
- 70% are facing the risk of cardiovascular diseases;
- 45% are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Source: http://www.livestrong.com

These are only a few of the health effects of teen obesity. If not properly treated, teen obesity can have more severe effects and can even lead to morbid obesity. Further statistics have shown that about 300,000 adult deaths have been attributed to unhealthy dietary habits and a sedentary lifestyle in the United States. Moreover, about 2 thirds of the adult population in the U.S. is overweight. These statistics may be frightening, but by reading them, people will hopefully acknowledge that being overweight is a problem and that something must be done about it. In America, overweight people look at one another and see that they look alike. However, average does not mean overweight – it means that you have a problem.