What are the causes of being overweight?
Being overweight usually results from an “energy imbalance.” In short, when you take in more calories than you burn, you gain weight. Poor eating habits can help make teenagers overweight, particularly if they live on fast food and high-calorie processed food. Studies show that many teenagers eat more high-fat foods and fewer foods with necessary nutrients (vitamin A, folic acid, fibre, iron, calcium, and zinc) than is recommended for optimal health. Much of the time, being overweight stems from a combination of poor eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle. That means a lifestyle with too much time spent in front of the computer or TV screen and too little time being physically active. Girls are particularly at risk of being overweight as they move through the teenage years – a time when they typically become less active. Genetics also play a role in weight. If one or both of your parents are overweight or obese, the chances are higher that you will follow in their footsteps. Sometimes
