FitSugar

With Teen Obesity, Inactivity Is Only Part of the Problem

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:32:46 -0800

I panic every time I see another "exercise doesn't work!" story - until I read between the lines and learn once again that exercise is a good thing. On the heels of its conversation-starting cover story on the exercise "myth," Time is tackling a new study of teen obesity that claims inactivity is only partly to blame for heavier kids.

Obesity rates in teenagers have triple between 1976 and 2004, with lack of exercise the suspected culprit. But a new report published in Obesity Reviews says that physical activity levels among teens have actually stayed fairly steady. So does that mean that exercise doesn't matter? Hardly, so read more.

Unfortunately, this latest study only looked at activity levels, not eating habits, and the participants were self-reporting on their own habits, which can lead to unreliable data. These figures merely suggest that the increase in teen obesity can't be explained away by teens' lack of exercise, according to Dr. Youfa Wang, the lead author of the study. Here's more:

So does this mean that exercise isn't important in controlling weight? As tempting as that conclusion might be, Wang and other health experts say that's not exactly what the new data show. . . . While exercise may not contribute directly to weight loss, it is critical for maintaining a healthy weight, since it helps calibrate the balance between energy taken in and energy burned off. "The data is too gross, and too general, to assume that [exercise doesn't count]," warns Dr. Janet Walberg Rankin, a professor in the department of human nutrition, foods, and exercise at Virginia Tech. "We need to have a dual approach to weight involving both activity and diet. I would hate for people to take away from this study that activity has nothing to do with weight."

Phew! Thanks, doc. I also hope that's not what people take away from this study. In fact, to me, it says the opposite. If teen obesity is going up because teens have increased their calorie intake without increasing their activity levels, then that seems to say pretty clearly that exercise does make a difference. Do you agree?

Drug Testing in Public Schools, A Good Idea?

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 03:00:00 -0800

We have all heard about random drug testing in our respective places of employment and in professional sports, but what about in public schools?

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy recently announced that it would be holding four regional summits promoting random student drug testing in public middle and high schools. The program, which has actually already been implemented in almost 1,000 schools across the country, requires that kids submit to random drug testing if they would like to participate in sports and other extracurricular activities. The tests would be looking for cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy, opium-based substances, oxycontin and steroids.

Do you guys think random drug testing in our schools is a good idea?

Teenage Girls Smoke to Lose Weight

FitSugar — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Every time I see a teen smoking, it alarms me. I always wonder if they have heard the news that smoking is not cool, is bad for your health, and can in fact kill you.

I was even more alarmed to read that new research has found that girls are starting to smoke in the hope of losing weight. The theory is that smoking distracts people from eating and helps curb appetites, and it's possible that the increase in teenage girls smoking is linked to high obesity rates so girls are turning to tobacco to lose weight.

Yet, another reason I despise those Camel No. 9 cigarettes, since they are marketed towards exactly those young girls and being advertised in magazines they read. It's sad that big tobacco still preys on the young ladies they already have a lot to deal with growing up as it is.

Since the media is clearly not going to help, we need to teach them ourselves. So if you have a teenage daughter yourself, talk to her about her weight issues. Let her know that smoking is not the way to lose a few extra pounds, and explain to her the importance of eating healthy and exercising.

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Half Ton Dad: Inspirational or Heartbreaking?

FitSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:00:00 -0800

While flipping through the channels the other day, I came across the TV show Half Ton Dad. It uncovers the life of the morbidly obese, and how they're getting help to prevent dying from their condition. Two men were featured in the episode I watched, one weighed 1,022 pounds and eats the amount of food most of us would eat in two weeks in just one day. The other man, featured in the video clip below, has been called the world's heaviest teenager.

This sounds a lot like the TV show Ruby, about the 500-pound woman and her journey to lose weight. Do you think this new trend in reality TV is an inspirational way to help curb obesity or is this story just too heartbreaking to watch? Tell me your thought on this in the comments section below.

Caffeine and Teens: A Growing Habit

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 15:45:00 -0700

When I was a little kid and reached for my mom's cup of joe, she told me that coffee would stunt my growth. That false myth no longer holds sway with the youth of today, and the coffee habit it in young teens is soaring. While coffee might not stunt growth, it is habit forming and these kids are not drinking their java straight up. Nope they often drink coffee in its most sugary forms like caramel lattes and frappuccinos.

A major concern is that teenagers are substituting coffee for much needed nutritious meals for their still growing bodies. Replacing breakfast with a cup of coffee is not only a bad idea, it is a bad diet idea that many teenage girls are using. Remember you need breakfast to fire up your metabolism.

Caffeine, by itself, is not particularly harmful, and may even have some health benefits. It can, however, increase anxiety something most teenagers can produce enough of on their own.

I started drinking coffee when I was about 16 - something about being able to drive made drinking coffee seem appropriate to me. How about you? When did you start drinking joe regularly? Let me know in the comments below.

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Depression signs in teenagers

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:50:20 -0700

Illustrations

Depression in children

Teenage depression

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Alternative Names

Teenagers and depression

Information

Serious signs of teenage depression include:

A change in appetite and sleep patterns
Loss of interest or enjoyment in usual activities
Prolonged sadness
Withdrawal from friends
Feelings of worthlessness
Lack of energy
Poor school performance
Difficulty falling asleep

These are all signs that should alert you to a problem that may need professional counseling (especially if the signs persist and the teen doesn't respond to encouragement). See also depression.

Depression increases the risk of suicide attempts. Depressed teens often "self-medicate" by taking illicit drugs or drinking alcohol, with disastrous consequences, including worsening of depression. Having a close family member with a history of depression, alcoholism, or significant drug abuse problem puts a teenager at increased risk of depression.

Review Date: 12/18/2006

Reviewed By: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_001996

Teenagers and acne medicine

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:50:21 -0700

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Alternative Names

Acne and teenagers

Information

For the full article, see acne.

Only severe cases of acne should be treated with drugs such as Accutane. People taking Accutane and similar drugs need to be closely monitored. There are serious potential side effects, such as headaches, joint pains, and muscle pains. In particular, birth defects are possible in the infants of pregnant teenagers taking the medication.

Antibiotics such as erythromycin and tetracycline are not as risky, but may produce side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, or vaginal yeast infections.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_001997

Teenage depression

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:42:17 -0700

Back

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Persistent depressed mood, faltering school performance, failing relations with family and friends, substance abuse and other negative behaviors are signs that a teenager may be depressed.

Review Date: 2/14/2007

Reviewed By: Leisha M. Andersen, M.D., Private Practice specializing in Pediatrics, Denver, CO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by Alan Greene, MD, FAAP, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital; Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 2_9958

Drug signs and teenagers

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:50:10 -0700

Overview

Alternative Names
Information

Illustrations

Signs of drug abuse

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Alternative Names

Teenagers and drugs

Information

Although some surveys suggest that drug use in teens has decreased since 2001, the numbers are still quite high. Over 17% of high school students admit use of illegal drugs within one month of when they were asked and more than 40% of those over 12 years old say that they have tried an illegal substance at least once.

Some signs of possible drug use include:

Bloodshot eyes
Persistent cough
Pupils of eyes extremely big (dilated) or extremely small (pinpoint); nystagmus (rapid eye motion) might be a sign of PCP abuse
Loss of appetite (occurs with amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine use)
Increased appetite (with marijuana use)
Sluggishness, listlessness, or constant sleeping (opiate drugs such as heroine, codeine; or may occur when coming down off stimulant drugs)
Hyperactivity (as seen with "uppers" such as cocaine, methamphetamine)
Poor school performance and increased school absenteeism
Withdrawal from family and extracurricular activities
Change in group of friends
Unusual odor on breath (inhalant drugs)
Secretive behavior
Lying or stealing
Slow or slurred speech (downers and depressants)
Rapid, explosive speech (uppers)
Unsteady gait (ataxia)

Early intervention may decrease the likelihood that drug use will continue in this population.

See: Drug abuse and dependence and drug abuse

Review Date: 10/23/2007

Reviewed By: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_001975

The State of Eating Veggies in the US

FitSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:35:55 -0700

When it comes to eating enough veggies and fruits, Americans are failing miserably. The CDC estimates that only 14 percent of adults and fewer than 10 percent of teenagers in the US eat three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit on a daily basis.

And you know, five servings of fruit and veggies is the minimum suggestion. Many health advocates believe we should be eating nine servings of produce daily. The percentages above represent the national average; in some states only nine percent of the adults eat enough produce. The CDC published this first state-by-state report to help us all understand how far off the mark we are when it comes to nutrition.

Here's the CDC list, ranking states from lowest to highest percentage of folks meeting the recommended servings of fruit and veggies.

1. Mississippi: 8.8%

2. Oklahoma and South Carolina: 9.3%

3. Alabama: 9.8%

4. South Dakota: 10.1%

5. West Virginia: 10.3%

Didn't see your state in the bottom five? Then keep on reading.