Very Obese Teens Take Bigger Risks

In MedPage Today there is a report on extremely obese teens. It seems they are more prone to engage in risky behaviors (e.g., drinking, being sexually active, and smoking). Very obese teen girls were found to engage in the most risky behaviors, such as drinking and being sexually active. Studies have found girls to engage in sex before age 13, having multiple sexual partners, and not using contraceptives.

The current study also found a prevalence of cigarette smoking among both girls and boys. The researchers wrote: "Obese adolescents are already at greater risk for the development of additional chronic health conditions, the likes of which may be exacerbated by cigarette smoking, resulting in compound health risk."

The report went on to say: "The message of this study for pediatricians is that they need ot talk to all teens -- even those who are very obese and apparently socially isolated -- about sex, drugs, and alcohol, as well as other psychological concerns."

I thought this information would be helpful to RTs working with teens -- especially those who are very obese. The source for the report was research in Pediatrics published in volume 127, pages 827-834, in 2011. M. Ratcliff is the lead author.