Adolescents Intervention and Prevention Strategy on Obesity

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Adolescents Obesity and Intervention Strategy Adolescents Obesity Intervention and Prevention Strategy According to Schwarz and Peterson (2010) “adolescents’ obesity in the United States has many important implications for both the health and well-being of the individual and society.” The negative health consequences of obesity include many diseases, chronic health disorders, psychological disorders, and early death. This contributes to billions of dollars of health care costs each year. The healthcare costs due to the adolescent obesity rate are estimated at more than $14 billion per year. The direct and indirect cost totals more than $140 billion dollars annually. The United States spends six to 10 percent of healthcare on costs caused by obesity compared to 2 to 3.5 percent in other western countries (Schwarz & Peterson, 2010). Schwarz and Peterson (2010) also explained that adolescent obesity affects the nation’s ability to serve and protect. This is because more than a quarter of 17 to 24 years olds are not fit enough to enroll in the armed services due to being overweight. Adolescence is a crucial stage for implementing and influencing health behaviors. Many of the habits formed during this timeframe will last well into adulthood (Schwarz & Peterson, 2010). One out of every six adolescent is overweight and one out of every three is at risk. Since the 1980’s, the rate of overweight youth has steadily increased. Obesity rates vary by race/gender. For adolescents ages 12 to 19, non-Hispanic black girls and Mexican-American boys have the highest rates of obesity, 29.2 percent and 26.7 percent respectively. Non-Hispanic white boys and girls have the lowest rate of obesity at 16.7 percent and 14.5 percent respectively (Schwarz & Peterson, 2010). Schwarz and Peterson (2010) described many lifestyle factors

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