Prevention and Treatment

OK, now that we've explained just why obesity is a serious health problem, what can you do about it? More than you think.

The first thing to understand is that every test that anyone's ever done has shown that the earlier you work on the problem, the better your chances. Another thing to remember is that treatment for obese children and adolescents is not usually focused on losing weight so much as creating a new nutritional lifestyle. Your body is still growing, and you're going to eventually need that weight. So you want to create healthy habits that allow your body to physically grow into your weight over time.

There are three main areas to concentrate on:

1. Getting physical
2. Managing your food intake
3. Changing your behavior

Getting Physical

You need to get active and increase your energy expenditure. Starting a formal exercise program, or just getting outside and being more active, is the best thing you can to do to get on the road to better health.

You can check out our article on USDA Exercise Guidelines for the full run-down, but here are a few ideas to get you started.

• Start walking or bicycling regularly. Or give rollerblades a try.
• Enroll in a class, such as martial arts, tennis or gymnastics.

• Take up a new sport at school or in the community.

• Go outside and play.

However you become active is up to you. What matters is that you start today.

Managing Your Food Intake

Resist the temptation to fast or jump on the latest trendy diet promising massive weight loss in mere days. Doing something that severe can be incredibly stressful, and it can do serious harm to your body and confuse your perception of what "normal" eating ought to be. Instead, work towards maintaining a nutritious and healthy diet. For a complete understanding of nutrition, check out our full-length article How Nutrition Works.

For the short version, some simple things to keep in mind when it comes to healthy eating include creating a balanced diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and wholesome grains, staying away from food high in calories, fat or sugar, keeping your portions manageable, and not forcing yourself to finish a meal if you're not hungry.

As you can see, there really is a lot more to a healthy diet than "eat less and exercise."

Changing Your Behavior

The most important thing to do to make sure you get healthy and stay healthy is to change the way you look at food.

• Keep a record not just of what you eat, but when, where and with whom you eat. Look for patterns and situations where you find yourself eating less healthy than you want.
• Don't rush yourself at mealtime. There's no prize for finishing first, and your stomach needs time to properly digest your food.
• Focus on the food. These days, it's far too easy to grab a bite in front of the TV. Try to turn dinnertime into family time by having everyone sit down eat the same foods, and enjoy a meal together far away from the lure of the tube.
• We probably shouldn't have to say this, but try to limit your trips to the local fast-food joints. Most of the food you'll get there is high in saturated fats and calories. Do your body a favor and try to dine in tonight.

• Set realistic goals. The surest way to fail is to set the bar too high. If you visit fast-food places every other day, don't try going cold turkey. Just cut it down to once a week. Got once a week down? Try once a month. Eventually, you'll find you're not going there at all, and you'll be much, much healthier.
• This can all seem daunting and overwhelming at first. Don't panic. Once you get into the rhythm, you'll soon find how much better you feel, and how much more energy you have in your system. There is no "cure" for obesity, only a gradual return to a healthier lifestyle. Put in the work and you'll get results.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition, and is solely for informational purposes. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 or your local equivalent for all medical emergencies.