Epidemiology Study: Teen Obesity
N J
Nur 408
January 9, 2012
Felita Patterson, MPH, RN

Epidemiology Study: Teen Obesity
Teenage obesity is on the rise this country. In the last couple of decades, the world has changed in a startling and dramatic way. Computers, computer games, the Internet, and extended free time have pushed the numbers of teenage obesity to an alarming figure (Teen obesity, 2011). While there’s no one cause of obesity; the factors that can make someone obese are a variety of genetic, biological, behavioral, and cultural factors (AACAP, 2011). As the official website of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry explains, childhood obesity is often related to bad eating habits, overeating or binging, no exercise, family history, medical issues, stress or extreme life changes, family issues, low self-esteem, or depression (2011). Although a few extra pounds are not dangerous for most people; obesity is a serious health issue as it puts a definite strain on the human body. It can cause issues like an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, breathing problems, trouble sleeping (AACAP, 2011). In fact, “Teenagers who have a weight problems now—that continues to increase or stay the same in terms of their weight—will likely have a much higher risk of premature death” (Gay, 2006)(p. 26). This clearly shows the tremendous and serious threat that obesity poses for teenagers.
Demographical Data
Every individual has an ideal weight range for his or her height. An overweight person has an excess of weight outside of his or her normal range. A person can be overweight without being obese. However, for the obese person, they are 20% heavier than their ideal body weight (PAMF, 2011). While most people are aware that Americans are the most overweight country in the world, it’s not just Americans who have been steadily gaining weight since the 1960s: data shows that countries all over the world have been putting on the pounds in all genders, ethnic groups, ages and educational levels (Gay, 2006). As Gay attests from 1960 to 2000, those considered overweight in America jumped from 31.5% to 33.6% (2006). Gay cites information from the National Institute of Health which said that in 2000, 15.5% of teenagers were obese (2006). This means that a large number of teenagers today are at risk for health issues like heart disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure as well as type 2- diabetes (Troubled Teen 101, 2011).
However, obesity disproportionately affects certain ethnic populations showing more obesity in some groups than others. For example, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that “African American and Mexican American adolescents ages 12-19 were more likely to be overweight, at 21% and 23% respectively, than non-Hispanic White adolescents 14%”(aspe.hhs.gov, 2011). This is a serious concern as type-2 diabetes is already prevalent in these ethnic groups (aspe.hhs.gov, 2011). Thus, making certain grave health conditions more of a severe hazard for certain groups and one which needs to be dealt with actively and aggressively.
Lifestyle changes that promote being sedentary, such as computer games, movies and the internet are definitely responsible for the rise in obesity, but they’re not solely to blame. Trend data suggests that certain changes in eating patterns and the nutritional composition of kids’ meals has had a direct correlation to teenage obesity (aspe.hhs.gov, 2011). The data suggests that, “In general, children and adolescents are eating more food away from home, drinking more sugar-sweetened drinks, and snacking more frequently. Convenience has become one of the main criteria for American’s food choices today, leading more and more people to consume ‘away-from-home’ quick service or restaurant meals or to buy ready-to-eat, low cost, quickly accessible meals to prepare at home” (aspe.hhs.gov, 2011). Convenience style foods, or ‘fast-food’, aside from containing a host of chemicals and preservatives in them, are often high in refined sugar, carbohydrates, and fats—ingredients, which are known to be weight-gaining. More than anything, a consumption of convenience style foods is easy to come by and make consuming them on a regular basis even easier.
Poor eating habits and a more sedentary lifestyle are obvious factors in obesity. However, there is also a link between obesity and sleep deprivation. In fact, the authors of a study concluded that the odds of obesity increased fivefold for every reduction in sleep time (Hu, 2008). There also appears to be a connection between obesity and the educational level of the parents. Parents who have experienced some college education are less likely to have obese children (Smith, 2009). Much has been made about the connection between socio-economic factors and obesity. Researchers have found that at least with women, one’s socio-economic position (SEP) has an inverse relationship with obesity. Thus, the higher the level of one’s SEP, the lower the rates for obesity in women and vice versa (Crawford, D., Jeffery, R., Ball, K., & Brug, J., 2010). This relationship was slightly less consistent for White men and no consistencies prevailed for other races (Crawford et al., 2010).
Consequences of Teenage Obesity
Teenage obesity makes it significantly more likely that a given individual will be obese into adulthood. With the direct and connected health risks that teenage obesity creates, there also go hand-in-hand the additional costs of this condition. Teenage obesity puts a direct strain on the American health care industry. “Direct medical costs may include preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services related to obesity. Indirect costs relate to morbidity and mortality costs; morbidity costs are defined as, the value of income lost from decreased productivity, restricted activity, absenteeism, and bed days” (CDC, 2011).
For example, “In 2000, the total cost of obesity for children and adults in the United States was estimated to be $117 billion, ($61 billion were in direct medical costs)” (aspe.hhs.gov, 2011). In 2008, the cost was around $147 billion (CDC, 2011). These numbers are staggering in that it clearly shows that the problem is not only getting worse, but that it continues to wage a prevalent economic toll on the professional healthcare system. Employers feel the strain of obesity on their work environments, as obese employees tend to miss more work, and register more medical and disability claims (Yale Rudd Center, 2011). In fact, the Yale Rudd Center goes so far to state that, “As a result, an average firm with 1,000 employees faces $285,000 per year in extra costs associated with obesity” (2011). This is clearly no small number or cost to any employer. Thus, there exists a strong private and public motivation to combat obesity in America, targeting it where it starts: in childhood and adolescence.
Epidemiological Triangle
An epidemiological triangle refers to a system used to understand better how diseases occur, what the forces are behind them and how they can better be fought and prevented. Specifically, an epidemiological triangle focuses on the three primary factors that have a direct effect on the “if”, “when”, “where” and “how” of diseases (Ferng, 2011). One of these factors is the disease agent and its characteristics, the host and the host’s vulnerability to the disease, and the environment that surrounds the agent and host (Ferng, 2011). It is crucial to examine these components and how they interrelate to reach a better understanding of the disease.
In one corner of the epidemiology triangle for teenage obesity there is the agent: the agent in this case would be obesity, having a weight which is 20% or more than what is considered ideal for one’s age, gender, height and bone structure (Gay, 2006). At another corner of the triangle would be the host, which would be a teenager who either has a genetic predisposition to obesity, or who has a great deal of life stress or anxiety and low self-esteem. In the final corner of the triangle would be the environment that the agent and the host reside in, that would be one that puts an emphasis on convenience foods and a sedentary lifestyle.
Psychological Factors of Teenage Obesity
The teenage years are already a tremendously vulnerable time for young people. Having a very visible issue that sparks teasing from one’s peer group can make this time even more challenging and traumatic. Many obese teens face constant teasing, taunting and poor treatment from other teens, their community, and sometimes even their family (Lüsted, 2008). As Lüsted explains, this makes such teens more likely to suffer from mental issues such as depression or even to have suicidal tendencies. In fact, “A recent study reveals that obese children rate their quality of life as low as those of young cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy” (Lüsted, 2008).
Prevention
Many of the main factors that have such a tremendous impact on obesity are easily preventable. Good parenting can have a tremendous impact on the health and well-being of children and adolescents and can be a powerful tool in combating obesity. For example, parents need to have solid knowledge and belief about proper nutrition, proper snacks for teenagers and proper portion size (Crawford et al., 2011). Furthermore, parents need to be living examples and model healthy eating and exercise behaviors. Reward and punishment systems can properly shape a child’s eating and nutritional habits size (Crawford et al., 2011). For example, junk foods like chips, sodas and cookies should not be a staple of a teenager’s diet, but rather seen as a reward for good behavior or a special treat.
Another shift that has taken place of late to reverse the obesity epidemic, is taking it from a personal problem to a public and social problem (Crawford et al., 2011). Obesity is indeed an epidemic and growing awareness is important in fighting it. From education and increased pressure to have better food labeling, readable nutritional labels on all products, to food-assistance programs that have healthier food choices and a limit on using the resources to buy unhealthy foods and fast foods, can go far in getting obesity under control. In fact many governments are exploring their options within obesity prevention programs and food regulation. For example, government regulation can have a direct effect upon the availability, composition, and accessibility of certain food products size (Crawford et al., 2011). This can be an incredibly powerful tool in fighting and precluding the obesity epidemic as it “creates a supportive environment for behavioural change” size (Crawford et al., 2011). Furthermore, documentaries like Food Inc., directed by Robert Kenner can be extremely effective tools in creating awareness about food creation and processing trends in America today in a bold and unflinching manner.
While obesity as it occurs with adolescents is a daunting problem, it is not insurmountable. Complex factors initiate and indulge in the obesity and overweight of our teens, but the drawbacks of this epidemic are so intense that it has created an environment in which people wholeheartedly want to tackle the problem. Ultimately, our future, and our children’s future will be better off because of it.

References
AACAP. (2011, March). Obesity in children and teens. Retrieved from http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/obesity_in_children_and_teens Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. (2011).Childhood obesity. Retrieved from http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/child_obesity/ CDC. (2011, March 28). Overweight and obesity. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/causes/economics.html Crawford, D., Jeffrey, R. W., Ball, K., & Brug, J. Obesity epidemiology: From aetiology to public health [hardcover]. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Gay, K. (2006). Am I Fat?: The obesity issue for teens. Berkeley Heights: Enslow Publishers.
Ferng, S. F. (2011). Investigation tools: Epidemiology, microbiology, and toxicology. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/nalboh/nalboh-5.pdf
Hu, F. B. (2008). Obesity epidemiology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Lüsted, M. A. (2008). Obesity and food policing. Edina: ABDO Publishing.
PAMF. (2011). Teen obesity. Retrieved from http://www.pamf.org/teen/health/diseases/obesity.html Smith, P. K. (2009). Obesity among poor americans: is public assistance the problem?.
Nashville: Vanderbilt University Press.
Teen Obesity. (2011, December 19). Teen obesity can lead to horrible consequences. Retrieved from http://www.teenobesity.net/
Troubled Teen 101. (2009). Teen obesity statistics. Retrieved from http://www.troubledteen101.com/articles42.html Yale Rudd Center. (2011). Economic impact of obesity. Retrieved from
http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/what_we_do.aspx?id=82