children s health issues
Obesity in Adolescents
Causes of Obesity in Adolescents
The factors that influence obesity among adolescents are the same as those among adults. Hormonal disorders, such as an underactive thyroid gland ( Hypothyroidism ) or overactive adrenal glands, may result in obesity but are rarely the cause. Adolescents with weight gain caused by hormonal disorders are usually short and most often have other signs of the underlying disorder. Any adolescent with obesity who is short and has high blood pressure should be tested for the hormonal disorder Genetics play a role, which means that some people are at greater risk of obesity than others, and obesity may be more common among members of the same family. Because of society’s stigma against obesity, many adolescents with obesity have a poor self-image and may become socially isolated. 