What are the hazards of adolescent obesity to the body

Adolescent obesity may lead to various health problems, including metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, bone and joint injuries, psychological disorders, and endocrine disorders. Obesity will lead to insulin resistance, increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, increase heart load, induce hypertension, and excessive pressure will easily cause wear of knee joints. Inferiority complex may affect social development, and hormone imbalance may also interfere with adolescent development.

1. Metabolic syndrome

Adolescent obesity is closely related to metabolic abnormalities. Accumulation of visceral fat can reduce insulin sensitivity, and elevated fasting blood glucose may develop into impaired glucose tolerance. Some obese adolescents may exhibit signs of keratosis nigricans, with dark furry thickening of the neck or armpit skin, which is a typical manifestation of insulin resistance. Long term metabolic disorders may induce non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and liver ultrasound examination often shows diffuse echo enhancement.

2. Cardiovascular disease

Overweight adolescents generally have impaired endothelial function, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is prone to deposit and form plaques on the arterial wall. Cardiac ultrasound examination shows left ventricular hypertrophy, which is related to elevated blood pressure and increased circulating blood volume. Obese adolescents have a slower rate of heart rate recovery during exercise, and some individuals may experience early onset arteriosclerosis that is close to that of middle-aged patients.

3. Skeletal and Joint Injuries

Overweight can accelerate the wear of joint cartilage, and the pressure on the knee joint can reach four times that of normal weight. X-ray examination commonly shows growth plate injury or tibial tuberosity osteochondritis, and stress fractures are prone to occur after intense exercise. Excessive weight-bearing on the spine may lead to increased lumbar lordosis, and some adolescents may experience early disc degeneration.

4. Psychological disorders

Body type discrimination can lead to anxiety and depression, and some patients may experience eating disorders such as overeating or anorexia. Social avoidance behavior is more common among obese individuals, and academic performance and executive function may be affected. Long term psychological pressure can form a vicious cycle, and some teenagers relieve their emotions by overeating.

5. Endocrine disorders

Excessive secretion of leptin by adipose tissue may interfere with hypothalamic regulatory function, and polycystic ovary syndrome with menstrual disorders is common in female patients. Male breast development is related to elevated estrogen levels, with some obese boys having lower testosterone secretion than their peers. Thyroid function tests may show mild elevation of thyroid stimulating hormone, which is associated with leptin resistance status.

It is recommended to establish a regular three meal habit, avoid high sugar and high-fat snacks as substitutes for meals, and ensure one hour of high-intensity exercise such as swimming or basketball every day. Parents should regularly monitor their children's height and weight curves to avoid extreme dieting methods. Schools can offer nutrition education courses to help young people establish correct body image cognition. When experiencing joint pain or menstrual abnormalities, it is necessary to promptly seek medical evaluation from a pediatric or nutrition department.