Teen Obesity

Rates of obesity have increased dramatically in recent decades for Americans of all ages, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In the past 40 years, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled among teens. The percent of adolescents aged 12 to 19 who were obese increased from 5 percent in 1980 to nearly 19 percent in 2018. Overall, nearly one-third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese.

What is Obesity?

Obesity is an excessive accumulation of body fat, making someone 20 percent heavier than their ideal healthy body weight. “Overweight” is defined as having any excess weight outside of the ideal healthy range.

Although children have fewer weight-related health problems than adults, overweight children are at high risk of becoming overweight adolescents and adults.

Health Issues Related to Obesity

Overweight people of all ages are prone to a number of health problems, including:

• Heart disease.
• Diabetes.
• High blood pressure.
• Stroke.
• Some forms of cancer.
• Weakened overall physical health, resulting in shortened life expectancy.

Obesity can also lead to social disabilities and unhappiness, which may cause stress and heighten risk of mental illness.

Studies suggest that overweight children are more likely to be involved in bullying – both as victims and as perpetrators of teasing, name-calling and physical bullying – than normal weight children.

Your Body Image Matters

Teens may feel they’re obese or overweight – even when they’re not – because of focusing on other body types they see. It’s important to realize that everyone has a different body type, and having a bigger or smaller shape than someone doesn’t make you overweight. View yourself as your own person and don’t judge yourself by how other people look.

Developing a personal identity and body image is an important goal for adolescents. Your parents, doctor and teachers can help. If you think you’re overweight, talk to a trusted adult about what you can do to improve your health.

Last reviewed: July 2019