A new study, which was published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, 2009, shows that teens who are overweight and those teens who perceive themselves as being overweight have high risk of attempting suicide. This research shows that parents, teachers and society should make an effort to prevent suicides among obese teens.
This study analyzed the risk of suicide among 14,000 high school students. They compared the risk of suicide in teens who were overweight and teens who believed they were overweight. They found out that overweight teens had high risk of attempting suicide. Teens who believed they were overweight also were more likely to attempt suicide. For the those teens who were both overweight and believed that they are overweight, the risk of suicide increased greatly.
This study is concerning due to the fact that the rates of obesity among teens is increasing. For teens, weight issues can have a serious impact. Actual or perceived obesity can increase the risk of low self-esteem, depresssion or suicide.
Suicide prevention strategies to deal with overweight teens should be developed. The teens who feel they are overweight should also be given counseling to overcome the suicide risk. Parents, teachers alike can identify the suicide risk in teens and take steps to avert teen suicides.
Parents can help in overcoming teen obesity by encouraging them to join sport clubs or health clubs. Avoiding junk foods, soft drinks, fried foods which are high-calorie, high-fat foods can also help in overcoming obesity. Studies show that even 30 minutes of physical activity can have great impact in reducing obesity. Hence, teens should get physically active and eat healthy to reduce obesity and its negative consequences.
