Understanding and Addressing Obesity in Middle School Students

Obesity in the United States is a problem for all age groups. Young adolescents in middle school are no exception. Parents can help their young teenagers maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Obesity Rates

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 17 percent of children and adolescents were obese in 2008. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index above the 85th percentile.

Dangers of Obesity

• Obese adolescents tend to become obese adults. A CDC study found 80 percent of children who were overweight between the ages of 10 and 15 are overweight at 25.

Poor Food Choices

• Large portion sizes, frequent snacking and sugar-dense beverages all contribute to adolescent obesity. The Mighty Kids Meal from McDonald's (targeted towards the young adolescent crowd) contains up to 850 calories and 40 g of fat.

Physical Education

• One correlation to the high rate of obesity among middle school students is the decline in physical education. A 2005 study by Eaton and co-authors found that participation in physical education had declined 14 percent over the preceding 13 years.

What Can Be Done

• Proper diet and exercise are the keys to a healthy lifestyle. Make sure your middle school students are eating healthy, both at home and at school. Also, make sure they are getting adequate physical activity.