Teen Obesity a Killer in Middle Age

The evidence continues to mount about the growing number of overweight or obese children suffering from health problems more commonly associated with middle-aged people. It's no surprise that obesity during the teen years elevates a woman's mortality risks once she reaches middle age.

Even women who had never smoked were found to be more likely to die if they were overweight as teens; obesity is far more damaging to your health than smoking.

If we fail to reverse the epidemic of obesity sweeping the world, we will, for the first time in history, see children living shorter lives than their parents.

I am convinced, however, that we can stop this devastating trend and make the necessary changes to end this epidemic before it gets much worse. I believe parents will see the light very soon and make the changes it takes to save the lives of their children. That means, above all, being a good role model.

You can start by reviewing the seven risk factors for childhood obesity:

• Early size
• Early body fat
• High birth weight
• Having obese parents
• Quick growth from ages 1-2
• Watching more than eight hours of TV a week
• Getting less than 10.5 hours of sleep at night

And then take steps to get your children healthy and active:

• Limit your children's TV time and get it out of their bedroom immediately.
• Get your children off the couch and onto the playground, or at the very least moving around vigorously while they are watching TV!
• Replace those sugary juices and soft drinks with clean water.