Most people realize that our children are living with tremendous risk factors for diseases associated with obesity. We are aware that for the first time in modern history studies indicate the life span of our younger generation may be lower than the current adult population. .
The good news is Americans are listening and ongoing changes are in place to help address serious challenges and consequences of obesity. Some positive trends include the removal of candy from school vending machines and parents and organizations working together to increase youth oriented exercise. Many fast food restaurants now serve water and fruit as alternatives..
There is reason to be hopeful that the youngest of our population stand a good chance of changing these health risks and improving life expectancy. However, caught in between the old standard eating habits of American culture and the recent commitment to change is the quintessential teenager.
According to the American Heart Association, over 5.3 million teens are overweight or obese and about 1 million of those have high cholesterol and or high blood glucose (sugar) levels. These risk factors often lead to heart disease later in life. Unfortunately, the ‘later in life’ can actually be in the early twenties.
In addition to obesity, our teenagers face other risk factors that lead to heart disease. At the top of the list are the use of tobacco and alcohol, chronic poor dietary intake, and lack of exercise. In a world full of uncontrollable issues, these factors are controllable if we can help our children see and believe the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
About 3 million teens are smokers and 4,000 kids begin smoking every day. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that most adult smokers started in high school. That means if children stay smoke free, they are unlikely to start smoking as adults. l Unfortunately, many of today’s teens smoke for pleasure or to control weight and are on the fast track for a heartache of a different sort than they usually think about.
Many of adolescents’ favorite foods, such as french fries, tacos, pizza, cheeseburgers, and butter fat in milk products, are high in saturated fat. These fats, called low density lipoprotein or LDL, act as a carrier of cholesterol to our cells.. LDL forms dangerous fatty plaque in the blood, which is the primary suspect in atherosclerosis. LDL levels can be high if the diet is rich in saturated fat. Another type of cholesterol is high-density lipoprotein or HDL. Often referred to as the ‘good’ cholesterol, it helps carry LDL (bad) cholesterol out of the body. Found in plant fats (like olive oil), some fatty fish, and nuts (like almonds and walnuts), HDL Levels are lower in those who are inactive, overweight, and smoke. .
Clearly, the heart disease risk issue is multi faceted. Researchers at Northwestern University, led by Dr Mercedes Carnethon, reported that poor physical fitness is a prevalent and important public health problem in the US, and is a direct consequence of a decline in physical activity. Teenagers are plugged in and can go virtually anywhere without leaving their bedrooms. As frustrating as it is to parents, this generation seems to thrive in a virtual world where activity is not necessary. Researchers predict that the connection between low fitness and heart disease risk factors could cause a rise in illness and death from chronic diseases. They strongly suggest campaigns, similar to the long standing anti smoking campaigns, be initiated to address the lack of physical activity among teens and what is amounting to a serious national problem.
Area Physicians know all to well what the effect of poor nutrition and lack of exercise is on our teens. Dr. Alexander Stratienko, at Cardiac and Vascular Associates, believes it may take 20-30 years to get the message across that eating junk and foods laden with saturated fats and sodium are just not smart. The consequences of heart disease often are the direct result of a lifetime of poor dietary intake. Dr. Stratienko advises parents and caregivers to address risky lifestyle behaviors with children and teens
But try telling a teenager who lives for pizza, chicken strips, fries and cola that they are increasing the risk of a disease that may affect their lives 20 years from now. Jack, a 17 year old; loves the late night meals; the Mexican style fast foods, pizza and high fat snacks. When asked if he ever thought about the impact of his food choices, he commented that teenagers have enough to worry about in everyday life without worrying about heart disease.
The typical teenager has the “I am invincible” attitude. Sarah, a junior high student admits to thinking about foods from a calorie perspective, but not really beyond that. She stated most people her age notice overweight individuals as unhealthy, but they do not correlate saturated fat and cholesterol with heart disease in an average size person. Teenagers need to understand that fat cells gained as children stay with them as adults.
Nutrition misconceptions trap parents of teenagers as well. Many are under the mistaken idea that children are invincible to the risk of early heart disease. When adults select their food choices, they are quick to limit the saturated fats, sodium, and cholesterol in their own meals, but allow the children to choose the higher fat meals and snacks.
Other parents try to promote weight gain in underweight children or the ‘skinny’ adolescence, by encouraging calorie and fat laden foods. The fatty plaque build up inside the blood vessels called atherosclerosis begins in childhood and progresses slowly into adulthood. Dr Robert Berlund of the Chattanooga Heart Institute commonly sees plaque in the aorta in young teenagers. He recommends a heart healthy diet for the entire family.
The challenge of changing the dietary habits of adolescents and teenagers may be daunting. Compare it to linking wrinkles and skin cancer to excessive sun exposure. It just does not seem to sink in. Nevertheless, keep trying. Experts agree, it is important to teach control of as many risk factors as possible starting in early childhood. Raise children on a healthy diet from the start. They may be lost for a while in the jungle of junk, but good habits will come back sooner than later.
Remember, out of the mouths of babes; adolescents are more likely to listen to each other and model behavior after siblings, friends, and positive peer pressure than parents or teachers. One healthy eater can affect the others in his or her peer group. The ultimate gift of lifelong good health is what we hope to guide the teenager to see.
Pamela Kelle is a registered dietitian in private practice. She is a registered dietitian, licensed nutritionist and certified diabetes educator. She consults with area physicians, schools, and therapists to impact positive nutrition changes in the Chattanooga area. She can be reached at foodcoach@comcast.net.