Psychological Issues for Teens

Relating to Being Overweight
For many overweight teens, their physical health
and well being are the least of their problems.
Much more relevant is the teasing and abuse they
receive from their peers at school and near where
they live. For many, it is not only what others
think of them that is upsetting, but it is what
they actually think of themselves. A good
percentage of teenagers (especially girls) are
clinically depressed because they are so
preoccupied with their weight. It does not help
that in every model or every actress you see, and
that people tend to aspire to be, are usually stick
thin.

There is evidence now amounting to just how much
pressure is being placed on obese teenagers. A
recent survey reveals that these kids rate the
quality of life they have as low as that of young
cancer patients while they are having chemotherapy.
There are other studies which have been carried out
that report increased rates of depression, low self
esteem and isolation from other members of their
age group, which can result in behavioral problems
in some. These teenagers are less likely to be
accepted into higher education (college) or to get
married, and are more likely to be part of the
lower socioeconomic groups.

What is worse is that many overweight teens will be
hard on themselves, and will often be mistreated by
others. A study carried out in 2001 by Latner and
Stunkard finds that this situation, rather than
improving, has steadily got worse.
Often, those teens who are overweight can suffer
from other problems such as cardiovascular,
orthopedic, gastrointestinal, respiratory,
hormonal, neurological and metabolic diseases
(diabetes). These can often manifest themselves
through psychological problems, and you may then
have to ask for assistance from a trained
professional in order to deal with them.
Today in the US, there are some weight loss
programs for kids which are residential, and
combine psychological therapy with behavior change
therapy in order to improve the teens self esteem
as well as their physical health.
So, during this book, we will look at ways in which
those teens, who wish to lose weight, can do so
safely.