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Overweight and Obese Adolescent Girls: The Importance of Promoting Sensible Eating and Activity Behaviors from the Start of the Adolescent Period

Author

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  • Alwyn S. Todd

    (Centre for Nutrition and Exercise, Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4101, Australia
    Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Mater Health Services, Brisbane 4101, Australia
    School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4215, Australia)

  • Steven J. Street

    (Centre for Nutrition and Exercise, Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4101, Australia
    Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast 4226, Australia)

  • Jenny Ziviani

    (Children's Health Queensland, Queensland Health, Brisbane 4000, Australia
    School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4067, Australia)

  • Nuala M. Byrne

    (Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast 4226, Australia
    Bond Institute of Health and Sport, Bond University, Gold Coast 4226, Australia)

  • Andrew P. Hills

    (Centre for Nutrition and Exercise, Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4101, Australia
    School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4215, Australia)

Abstract

The adolescent period is associated with changes in eating and activity behaviors in girls. Less reliance on parental provision and choice of food, coupled with a decrease in participation in physical activity and sport, can create an energy imbalance, predisposing to weight gain. Physiological alterations to body composition, reduction in insulin sensitivity, and psychological adjustments may further amplify the risk of becoming overweight and maintaining an unhealthy level of body fat into childbearing years. During pregnancy excess body fat is a risk factor for poor pregnancy outcomes and may predispose an infant to a lifelong heightened risk of being overweight and developing chronic disease. Interventions aimed at preventing the accumulation of body fat in adolescent girls and young women may have far reaching impact and be critically important in reducing intergenerational weight gain. Lifestyle interventions in adolescence have the potential to modify adult obesity risk by switching at-risk individuals from a high to lower obesity risk trajectory. This paper discusses multiple approaches to assist at-risk individuals reduce obesity risk. A key focus is placed on engagement in food preparation and choice, and opportunities for physical activity and sport. Support, education, and opportunity at home and at school, are often associated with the success of lifestyle interventions, and may enable adolescents to make positive choices, and engage in health promoting behaviors during adolescence and childbearing years.

Suggested Citation

  • Alwyn S. Todd & Steven J. Street & Jenny Ziviani & Nuala M. Byrne & Andrew P. Hills, 2015. "Overweight and Obese Adolescent Girls: The Importance of Promoting Sensible Eating and Activity Behaviors from the Start of the Adolescent Period," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-24, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:2:p:2306-2329:d:46032
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vander Wal, Jillon S., 2012. "The relationship between body mass index and unhealthy weight control behaviors among adolescents: The role of family and peer social support," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 10(4), pages 395-404.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alice P. Okeyo & Eunice Seekoe & Anniza de Villiers & Mieke Faber & Johanna H. Nel & Nelia P. Steyn, 2020. "The Food and Nutrition Environment at Secondary Schools in the Eastern Cape, South Africa as Reported by Learners," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-18, June.

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