How Obesity Weighs On Teens’ Wellbeing

Whether you’re overweight, underweight or somewhere in between, weight is an aspect of health that’s on everyone’s mind—which isn’t always a good thing. Stress, anxiety, pressure, frustration, insecurity—you name it; we’ve probably all experienced a myriad of emotions related it. The reality is weight isn’t just a physical metric, but rather a mental, emotional and social experience.

Plus, the growing number of individuals considered to have excess weight or obesity—1 out of every 4 men and 2 out of every 3 women—is hard to ignore. Even for individuals who don’t necessarily fall into one of those categories, there’s pressure—both internally and socially—to avoid gaining weight or becoming a part of the statistic. As Megan Ratcliff, PhD, a clinical pediatric psychologist at GMC’s Center for Weight Management describes, “Overweightness isn’t just an individual issue; it affects the health of the nation as a whole. Obesity is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States, contributing to health issues such as Type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, and some forms of cancer.”

Now struggling with weight issues in your twenties, thirties or forties is one thing, but struggling with serious weight issues in childhood or teenhood can be far more complex and serious.  With current statistics estimating that 1 out of 3 U.S. children and teens (6 – 19 years old) suffer from excess weight or obesity, there’s real cause for concern. “Many weight-related conditions, like high blood pressure and diabetes, once thought to be adult diseases, are affecting children at an increasing rate,” explains Dr. Ratcliff. “For the first time in history, children have a lower life expectancy than their parents, in large part due to excess weight.”

  

Navigating Teenhood

“The physical consequences of excess weight are significant enough, but the mental, emotional, and social consequences, especially in the teen years, may be even more pronounced,” describes Dr.Ratcliff. “Children with excess weight report lower quality of life than their healthy weight peers and may be more likely to develop depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.”

Furthermore, we’ve crossed into uncharted territory, a time when children and teens are more exposed to media than ever before—TV, magazines, videos and social media. For impressionable children and teens, the images and messages they’re exposed to 24/7—idealizing certain body types—have a lasting impact. “Weight-based stigma and victimization in the form of bullying or social exclusion are real phenomenon that can have a lasting impact,” notes Dr. Ratcliff. “Overweightness and obesity in childhood is likely to track into adulthood without proper intervention.”

That’s why it’s important to address underlying mental, emotional and social issues related to excess weight, beyond just focusing on a number on a scale. “Helping children and teens to understand and love themselves as they are is the first step in helping them to become who they want to be,” emphasizes Dr. Ratcliff.

A New Normal

Adults struggling with weight-related issues may experiment with various weight loss strategies, from fasting and calorie cutting to specific diets and exercise regimens. But that’s not necessarily what’s best—or safest—for teens. Because children and teens are still developing mentally and physically, drastic changes in diet or extreme exercise can be unhealthy, even dangerous. Not to mention the negative impact it may have on their long-term relationship with food, exercise and self-image.

“In order to truly help teens with their weight-related health issues, they need to receive care that’s focused less on their BMI, or the number on the scale, and more on learning healthy behaviors,” explains James Lin, MD, a pediatrician with the Center for Weight Management’snew program, Wellness 180. “This is key to reducing the number of weight-related conditions that are rising to an epidemic level.” This approach is at the heart of the Center for Weight Management’s new program, Wellness180, created just for teens.

This program offers teens with obesity the tools, resources and support they need to build long-term, sustainable and healthy lifestyle behaviors, while also addressing their unique weight-related health issues. “To ensure a truly comprehensive experience, Wellness 180 addressesobesity from every side,” says Dr. Lin. “This includes a board-certified pediatrician, nurses, registered dietitians, behaviorists and a fitness specialist, all working together to reach our goal of a healthier future for teens with obesity.”

To learn more about what the Wellness 180 program, visit gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/wellness180, or call 678-312-6200. 

5 Ways You're Sabotaging Your Healthy Habits

Most of us consider it a win when we make at least one healthy decision a day. Especially when unhealthy options can be so darn tempting—and convenient (we’re looking at you comfy couch and carryout pizza). So when you stick to your health guns and choose to eat breakfast, get in a workout and go to bed at a decent time, those healthy habits are sure to make a positive impact on your health. Or so you thought.

Often times seemingly healthy habits, like enjoying guacamole (filled with monounsaturated fats and phytochemicals), can quickly turn unhealthy (after all, who can stop with just a few bites?). So, how can you be sure your daily habits are actually working for your health and not against it? It’s as simple as making sure you aren’t overlooking these common mistakes:

1. You’re reusing unwashed grocery bags.

The problem: Reusable grocery bags are a simple way to help reduce waste, but they may also harbor germs that could contaminate your food (and make you sick).

The fix: Wash reusable bags frequently. Put cloth ones in the washing machine, and scrub plastic ones with hot, soapy water. Store in a cool, dry place.

2. You’re eating more than one handful of nuts.

The problem: Nuts are packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and heart-healthy fats, plus they’re pretty delicious. But they also contain a whopping 160 to 180 calories per ounce.

The fix: Keep servings small—1.5 ounces (a small handful) of whole nuts or 2 tablespoons of nut butter. A great way to enjoy a small, yet satisfying serving of nuts/nut butter is to have it with fresh produce, whole-grain bread or DIY trail mix.

3. You’re counting sheep for way too long.

The problem: A consistent bedtime is a no-brainer when it comes to falling asleep quickly--and staying asleep. But if you don’t doze off within 20 minutes, forcing yourself to stay in bed--tossing and turning--is counterproductive.

The fix: Get up and do something relaxing, such as reading a book or listening to soft music, until you feel drowsy. And don’t put pressure on yourself to fall asleep, this will automatically up your stress and anxiety, making it even harder to get snoozing.

4. You love your workout and you do it every single day.

The problem: You already know that staying active is crucial for your health. But always doing the same thing can lead to boredom, lack of motivation and an eventual decrease in results.

The fix: Mix things up. Whether it’s walking one day and cycling the next, or going for a swim and adding in some strength training, it’s important to keep things fresh and challenging for your mind and body. And don’t forget to add a few rest days into the mix.

5. You leap before you look.

The problem: It’s fun to try out a new cardio routine, strength move or yoga pose--after all, how hard could it be? But rushing into a new exercise, may make improper form, even injury more likely.

The fix: To ensure you get the most from a new exercise--and prevent an injury—don’t be afraid to ask for tips, guidance and support from the experts. At GMC’s Fitness & Performance Center, our experienced team of experts can provide just that. With comprehensive fitness assessments, customized personal training and more, you can count on GMC for all of your athletic health needs.

6 Healthy Reasons To Love April Fools’ Day

Everyone knows that on April Fools’ Day it’s better to be the one doing the pranking, than the one being pranked. But maybe this year it’s time for a change. Before you tap into your evil genius to start planning those clever pranks; sit back, relax and enjoy a few laughs instead.

After all, you’ve heard that laughter is the best medicine, so why not give it a try? Your health might just thank you for it. Here are a few jokes to help you get in a laughing mood:

·         How do you make a tissue dance? Put a little boogie in it.

·         What time did the woman go to the dentist? Tooth hurt-y.

The health benefits that laughter provides are no laughing matter (just kidding). From reducing inflammation and improving blood flow to soothing tension and stimulating your organs, here are 6 health perks to keep in mind:

   1. It’s a stress reliever. If you’ve been searching for an easy way to reduce stress, look no further than laughter. In fact, laughter has the exact opposite effect on your body that stress does. It’s able to stop the release of stress hormones and replace them with feel-good neurochemicals that have calming, anti-anxiety effect.

   2. It can help reduce pain. While laughing may be the last thing you feel like doing when you’re in pain, it can offer some serious relief. When you laugh, your body produces natural pain killers. And it isn’t just the placebo effect, studies have shown that laughter doesn’t just up positive emotions; it helps to minimize pain, too.

   3. It supports immune health. Just in time for the end of flu season, laugher is a great way to feel better faster, or prevent a cold or the flu all together. Laughter has been shown to boost the number of infection-fighting antibodies and immune cells. It can also support the release of neuropeptides, which reduce stress and fight illness.

   4. It can help reduce hypertension. Because laughter improves blood flow, the result is reduced blood pressure. And laughter doesn’t just provide a temporary fix for high blood pressure; it has a positive impact for upwards of 24 hours. Overtime, getting in regular laughs may even be able to reduce your risk of heart disease.

   5. It supports brain health. And we aren’t just talking about mental health, although laughing supports that, too. Laughing actually serves as an exercise for your mind and has been linked to improved cognitive function.

   6. It can be quite the workout. This doesn’t mean that you should quit your exercise routine, but laughter can be a good core workout. If you’re enjoying a 10-15 minute laugh session, not only will your sides be a little sore, but you will also have burned close to 50 calories. That’s because laughing causes your stomach muscles to expand and contract.

Something to smile about.

April Fools’ Day is a great opportunity to do a little extra smiling and laughing with friends and family. But why stop there? After all, there’s no better feeling than good health. That’s why Gwinnett Medical Group Primary Care offers the services, resources and support you need to achieve lasting health and wellness. With expert care you can count on, you and your family can breathe a little easier, relax a little more and laugh a lot harder.