STATISTICS SHOW THE ALARMING GROWTH IN THE PERCENTAGE OF OBESE YOUNG PEOPLE. OUT OF EVERY 10 OBESE COLOMBIANS, 3 ARE TEENAGERS.
Overweight in Colombian adolescents is generally caused by a sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits, eating cheap foods that are easy to consume and prepare, irregular eating habits at the three basic times of the day – breakfast, lunch and dinner – and increased consumption of sweets and sugary drinks, elements that translate into an increase of three to four kilos per year.
They often start their day without breakfast or with an incomplete or inadequate breakfast, taking into account that this is the most important meal of the day. There is also concern about the nutritional imbalance in the diet of young adolescents, where calorie consumption is not in line with daily physical activity, nor does protein consumption meet the needs of the body in full phase of growth and development. They also have an insufficient consumption of vegetables and fruits.
Diseases associated with obesity in the younger population include dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes mellitus, worsening of respiratory diseases such as asthma, and psychosocial problems. Being overweight causes pre-adolescents to grow faster and experience precocious puberty. They initially appear tall, but their actual height will be shorter than expected when they finish developing. In the future, you may be diabetic, hypertensive and possibly have cardiovascular problems.
THE FIGURES PROVE IT
The study carried out by LA CLINICA COLOMBIANA DE OBESIDAD Y METABOLISM (COLOMBIAN CLINIC FOR OBESITY AND METABOLISM) collected information between 2009 and 2013 and found that out of 4,200 obese patients, 35% (1,470) were under 20 years old. Among this group, 30% were overweight by more than 15 kilos (we are talking about young people between 15 and 18 years old).
This means that out of every 10 obese people, 3 are teenagers.
In Colombia, one in every six children and adolescents is overweight; this ratio increases as the SISBEN level and the mother's educational level increase. Excess weight is higher in urban areas 19.2% than in rural areas 13.4%. The 2010 National Nutritional Situation Survey (Ensin) indicated that obesity has increased in Colombia among young people aged 5 to 17 by 25.9%.
DEPRESSION AND BULLYING
One of the most negative aspects of being overweight is that it affects the psychological development of adolescents, who, due to the importance they give to their body image, are predisposed to low self-esteem and other psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety. Their social skills are in the process of learning, and rejection, mockery, offensive or derogatory comments create a pattern in the mind that will be difficult to change in adulthood. This aspect affects women more than men.
In a study conducted by the American Psychological Association, obesity in women was associated with a 37% increase in major depression. There is also a significant relationship between women with a high BMI and more frequent suicidal thoughts.
Depression can be caused by and result from stress, which in turn can cause a change in your eating and activity habits. Many people who have trouble recovering from sudden or emotionally draining events (for example, the loss of a close friend or family member, relationship difficulties, losing a job, or facing a serious medical problem) unwittingly begin to overeat the wrong foods or skip exercise. Before long, this becomes a habit that is hard to break.
Binge eating disorder, a behavior associated with obesity and other conditions such as anorexia nervosa, is also a symptom of depression. A study of obese people with binge eating disorder found that 51 percent also had a history of major depression. Further research shows that obese women with binge eating disorder who have been teased about their appearance later developed body dissatisfaction and depression.
PUT YOUR HEAD IN YOUR STOMACH
And to speak directly to this young population, the MÉTELE CABEZA A TU ESTOMAGO campaign was born, which seeks to raise awareness among adolescents so that they begin to acquire healthy habits and maintain them throughout their lives.
It is essential that parents put their hand on their heart for their children's stomach. It is up to them to acquire the necessary habits for an ideal weight and acceptable average physical health. But schools and universities also do their part and do little or nothing to encourage good eating habits in their students. The campaign is also aimed at them through educational and recreational talks that expose the risks of not paying adequate attention to this epidemic that has already taken over the country.
On our website you will find some tips on diets and nutritional guides, along with other important advice on how to avoid being overweight. Obviously, also on the correct way to manage it.