Psychological Issues for Teens Relating to Being Overweight

Here's the first chapter of our Guide to help teens lose weight. I hope you find this one useful. If you think it is, even if you are not a teen anymore, pay it forward by sharing this article to your friends or anybody you know who may need this and the forthcoming articles.

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Chapter I

For many overweight teens, their physical health and well being are the least of their problems. Much more relevant is the teasing and abuse they receive from their peers at school and near where they live. For many, it is not only what others think of them that is upsetting, but it is what they actually think of themselves. A good percentage of teenagers (especially girls) are clinically depressed because they are so preoccupied with their weight. It does not help that in every model or every actress you see, and that people tend to aspire to be, are usually stick thin.

There is evidence now amounting to just how much pressure is being placed on obese teenagers. A recent survey reveals that these kids rate the quality of life they have as low as that of young cancer patients while they are having chemotherapy. There are other studies which have been carried out that report increased rates of depression, low self esteem and isolation from other members of their age group, which can result in behavioral problems in some. These teenagers are less likely to be accepted into higher education (college) or to get married, and are more likely to be part of the lower socioeconomic groups.

What is worse is that many overweight teens will be hard on themselves, and will often be mistreated by others. A study carried out in 2001 by Latner and Stunkard finds that this situation, rather than improving, has steadily got worse.

Often, those teens who are overweight can suffer from other problems such as cardiovascular, orthopedic, gastrointestinal, respiratory, hormonal, neurological and metabolic diseases (diabetes). These can often manifest themselves through psychological problems, and you may then have to ask for assistance from a trained professional in order to deal with them.

Today in the US, there are some weight loss programs for kids which are residential, and combine psychological therapy with behavior change therapy in order to improve the teens self esteem as well as their physical health.

So, during this book, we will look at ways in which those teens, who wish to lose weight, can do so safely.

That is all there is to it. In the next chapter, we will discuss the role of parents to overweight teens and how parents can help to improve their teen's self-esteem.

Meanwhile, you can subscribe to our mailing list using the form below and receive your "The Complete Guide to Better Health Through Automatic Weight Control, Modern Nutritional Supplements, and Low-Fat Diet" report series.