| Rates of overweight youths have tripled in the | | | | choice and until it is a priority, it is extremely |
| past 20 years in America. Today it is estimated | | | | difficult to motivate youth or adults. |
| that over twenty percent of American youth are | | | | One of the main causes of trouble with weight |
| overweight and have trouble with healthy weight | | | | loss for American youth might also possibly be |
| loss programs. This rising epidemic has stirred a | | | | due the pressure which they feel to achieve |
| great deal of new investigations. The problems | | | | more success in a short time. This leads to stress |
| are mainly seen in the interpersonal, social and | | | | and youth often use food around them as a |
| psychological effects of serious weight gain or | | | | comfort. They also tend to suffer a setback in |
| obesity (being 100# or more over ideal body | | | | their food choices if they suffer a setback in their |
| weight) on youth. Healthy choices take | | | | social life or employment. |
| commitment and support from family and friends. | | | | Prevalence of Unhealthy choices: |
| Diabetes, hypertension and other obesity-related | | | | Young Americans do not adhere to healthy |
| chronic diseases are more common in youngsters. | | | | choices. They eat, move and live all too often like |
| Indulgent lifestyles, poor nutritional habits and | | | | many of their elders. The lives of the youth have |
| inactivity are reported to contribute to the | | | | become inactive with more of their time spent |
| increase of weight or obesity in youth. | | | | watching television or using computer than at play |
| The Main Causes of Obesity in American Are | | | | or doing physical exercises and indulging in outdoor |
| Reversible: | | | | activities. |
| Many American youths are dependant on fast | | | | In the midst of all the hectic lifestyles, more |
| foods for the daily sustenance but these fast | | | | children tend to eat at the cheap fast-food |
| foods cannot be considered as nutritionally healthy. | | | | outlets, where sugary drinks and high-calorie |
| They are filled with a lot of calories and chemicals | | | | choices in enormous portions are served. |
| which leads to weight gain as well as lack of | | | | Smoking, drinking and late nights being very |
| adequate nutrition for development of body and | | | | common, the youth tend to overeat and do not |
| brain. | | | | follow a routine sleep patterns. The prevalence of |
| The major cause of obesity in America and the | | | | all these unhealthy choices leads to trouble in |
| trouble in losing weight is the disparity in intake, | | | | weight loss management. |
| and the amount of calories burned off in the | | | | Public health intervention a major tool for weight |
| course of exercise or physical activity. | | | | loss in America: |
| Some people eat nutritious foods but it is | | | | In some areas of the country, public health |
| common to super size everything, even large | | | | intervention has proved to be a major tool for |
| portions at home inhibits them with control of | | | | increasing physical activity, reducing inactivity, |
| intake. A steak may be nutritious but when over | | | | improve dietary habits, and prevention of |
| eaten, it makes anyone put on a great deal of | | | | excessive weight gain. However, unfortunately in |
| weight. Habits are formed by watching TV, family | | | | most areas it is not being addressed adequately. |
| habits and school lunches as well. | | | | Other methods include making the youth indulge in |
| Another main cause of obesity in America is the | | | | recreational dance classes and outdoor games, |
| lack of physical activity or exercise. American | | | | which helps the youth in gaining control over |
| youth nowadays are more interested in television, | | | | physical activity. These can lead to healthy social |
| computers and video games thus inhibiting them | | | | outlets as well. Schools could deliver higher quality |
| from any outdoor games or sports. | | | | health education and physical education to prevent |
| As they watch and play indoor games, they tend | | | | weight gain and make healthy choices a life style. |
| to eat more high fat snacks, which cause an | | | | Starting a quality nutritional lunch program might |
| obstacle in their healthy weight loss programs. | | | | be a way to start leading by example. Healthy |
| Many medical professionals suggest that least | | | | weight loss programs come in many forms. It is |
| thirty minutes of vigorous exercise everyday is a | | | | the personal desire followed by support that is |
| healthy choice for Americans to combat the rising | | | | the key. |
| epidemic of obesity. Healthy and wellness is a | | | | |