Teen Obesity is Becoming a Huge Problem

Obesity is a huge problem, no pun intended. In America, in addition to a reference to fries or a combo meal, "super-sizing" is becoming a slang term to describe excessive weight gain. The Battle of the Bulge seems to have taken over the United States, as sixty-four and a half percent of Americans are either overweight or obsese. However, in a fast-food nation where 300,000 people die every year due to morbid obesity, devoted fanse of deluxe combos and Big Gulps do not seem to waiver.

"America seems to have the biggest problem of all," said a New England doctor during a televised interview. "When I visited England, there were fewer fast food options, and so there were fewer obese people. It's simple." It's also sad. The USA has the higest number of obesity-related deaths in the world. In a country that once went through the "thin is in" fad, how can American citizens do a total 180 in less than ten years?

Lifestyle choices are the main cause of teen obesity. Doing anything in an excessive amount, including eating, watching TV, or playing on the computer will affect any person's weight. BMI, or body mass index, is used to assess whether a teen is overweight. 

Often, especially when deatling with females, teens are their own harshest critics when it comes to looks. It's almost a double standard, being overweight; guys are archetypal couch potatoes who kick back beers and eat pizza, while girls are thought to be 5'8, 115 pound sticks that have to count calories.

But what are restaurants, particularly fast food places, doing to raise their nutritional bar? Restaurants such as McDonald's and Wendy's are broadening their high-in-fat horizons for healthier options like yogurt, salads, and grilled items. Although businesses throughout the United States seem to be doing their share, high school vending machines (which teens have direct access to, come lunch time) contain many snack foods which are high in fat or high in carbohydrates.