Youth obesity on the rise, causing heart problems
Teen talk
By Logan Schuster Special to the Acorn

Everyone eats.

But every person eats differently, according to different needs and wants.

With the current focus on the importance of good nutrition, the eating habits of teens have come under considerable scrutiny as the number of teens affected by eating disorders continues to rise.

The media is partially to blame, of course, parading superskinny supermodels down the runway and using underweight actresses in summer blockbuster movies, TV shows and 30second commercials in order to maintain the "perfect" aesthetic.

Unrealistic body perceptions have been known to inspire some teens to become anorexic or bulimic in an attempt to match media-created body types.

The health risks associated with these eating disorders are varied and plentiful, including anemia, depression, bone density loss and, of course, malnutrition.

Although anorexia and bulimia are very real problems, a growing number of teens are faced with the dangers of obesity.

According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 17 percent of teens between the ages of 12 and 19 are considered clinically obese.

Clinical obesity is a condition where body weight is distributed at more than 20 percent fat for males and more than 32 percent fat for females.

Obesity puts a person at greater risk of heart disease, stroke, bone problems and diabetes.

These health problems, which until recently didn't typically appear until adulthood, are now affecting teens.

The dietary habits of many teenagers relate directly to the obesity crisis.

When asked about his eating habits, Adolfo Camarillo High School senior Dustin Kirk said, "I don't eat vegetables. In fact, I avoid them."

This desire to only eat pleasing foods could be a case of what some might call "little kid syndrome," but it could also be the warning sign of other problems.

Kirk said he also drinks several liters of soda, "around 3 liters a week, minimum."

Other seniors tend to revel in how little they eat, trying to look skeletal and skinny in an attempt to appear beautiful.

Unfortunately, the detrimental effects of this behavior far outweigh any possible benefit in body aesthetics that not eating may achieve.

Simply put, an unhealthy view of food can create unhealthy habits in eating food.

While it is true that food is one of the great joys of life, having a healthier approach to what you eat can provide a longer life in which to experience that joy.

There's no need to go vegan, cut out carbs or drink nothing but protein shakes, but there may well be a need to start thinking about healthy portions, fresh food and smart choices.

The life you save may be your own.

Logan Schuster is a 17yearold senior at Adolfo Camarillo High School. He is a member of the school's student newspaper, The Stinger.