What is obesity in teens?

OBESITY is when a teen has too much body fat. Obesity may become a serious, long-term disease. In many ways, childhood obesity is a puzzling disease. Doctors do not fully understand how the body controls weight and body fat.

On one hand, the cause seems simple. If a person takes in more calories than they use for energy, then they will gain weight.

But a teen’s obesity can be caused by a combination of things. It can be linked to:

 •Genes

 •Socioeconomic issues

 •How the body turns food into energy (metabolism)

 •Not getting enough sleep

 •Lifestyle choices

 •Emotional issues

Some endocrine disorders, diseases, and medicines may also have a strong effect on a child’s weight.

Which teens are at risk?

Things that may put your teen at risk for obesity are:

 •Genes

Obesity may be passed down through families. Having even one obese parent may raise a child’s risk for it. Experts are looking at the link between genes, the ever-changing environment, and obesity.

 •Metabolism

Each person’s body uses energy differently. Metabolism and hormones don’t affect everyone the same way.

They may play a role in weight gain in children and teens.

 •Socioeconomic factors

There is a strong tie between economic status and obesity. Obesity is more common among low-income people. In some places, people may have limited access to affordable healthy foods. Or they may not have a safe place to exercise.

 •Lifestyle choices

Overeating and an inactive lifestyle both contribute to obesity. A diet full of sugary, high-fat, and refined foods can lead to weight gain. So can a lack of regular exercise. In children, watching TV and sitting at a computer can play a part.

What are the symptoms of obesity?

Too much body fat is the main symptom of obesity. But it’s hard to directly measure body fat. A guideline called the body mass index (BMI) is used to estimate it. The BMI uses a teen’s weight and height to come up with a result. The result is then compared with standards for children of the same gender between the ages of two and 20 years.

A teen who is overweight has a BMI between the 85th and 95th percentile for age and gender. They are obese if the BMI is greater than the 95th percentile for age and gender.

How is obesity diagnosed in a teen? Obesity is diagnosed by a healthcare provider. BMI is often used to define obesity in teens. It has two categories:

BMI at the 95th percentile or more for age and gender, or BMI of more than 30, whichever is smaller. BMI findings in this category mean the child should have a full health checkup.

BMI between the 85th and 95th percentile, or BMI equal to 30, whichever is smaller. This result means the child should have a screening that looks at five areas of health risk:

 Family history of cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity

 High blood pressure

 Total cholesterol level

 Large gains in BMI from year to year

 Concerns about weight, including the child’s own concerns about being overweight

How is obesity treated in a teen?

Treatment depends on your teen’s symptoms, age, and health. It also depends on how severe the condition is.