Growing problem of adolescent obesity

By PETER WATSON

A substantial increase in the numbers of obese children, adolescents and adults throughout the Western world is causing worrying short and long-term health problems.

By age 18 an estimated one in every five or six New Zealand teenagers is overweight.

A child who lives in an environment in which calorie-rich food is easily accessible and whose family tends to be sedentary, is at increased risk of being fat. They may also be genetically disposed towards obesity.

Today's youth live in a quite different environment to that of their parents. Many seem glued to television and computers, and spend less time exercising and in healthy activities. This encourages them to snack and eat energy-rich foods.

Childhood and adolescent obesity often leads to adult obesity. Studies now directly link adolescent obesity with long-term adult illness and premature death.

The risks of heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, gout, hormone problems and even cancer, rise among those who are overweight in adolescence and live to adulthood.

Obese adolescents also have problems such as reduced self-esteem and depression. They risk their health with behaviours such as early use of tobacco and alcohol.

A study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, has found that overweight girls tend to live below the poverty line, have lower education levels and lower incomes in later life.

Overweight boys are starting to develop type 2 diabetes, which usually affects people over the age of 40.

Treatment of adolescent obesity is not particularly easy or effective because life-long patterns of diet, exercise and behaviour - both of the young person and the family - have to be changed.

Seek help early from your general practitioner or other health professionals, but be warned - there are few specific health services for obese youth.

Prevention and early intervention is likely to yield the best results.

Here is a starting point: get active and have the television on no more than two hours a day. And eat healthily - have takeaways no more than once a week.

* Dr Peter Watson is an Auckland paediatrician and adolescent physician.