Overweight teenage boys were twice as likely as thin adolescents to die by age 70, primarily from heart disease. They also were about five times more likely to develop colon cancer and twice as likely to develop gout than their lean counterparts. Overweight girls were 60 percent more likely to have arthritis and twice as likely to suffer heart disease in their 70s than girls who were not overweight. Must said the findings underscore the importance of preventing overweight in youth by monitoring diet as well as exercise. Eating Disorders At the other end of the spectrum are teens who are undernourished due to eating disorders.
Some girls embark on their first diet before even leaving elementary school.
Those with bulimia indulge in bingeing and purging by vomiting or using laxatives. Although more common in females, about 5 to 10 percent of all eating disorders occur in males. Anorexia and bulimia can have serious consequences such as convulsions, renal failure, irregular heartbeats and dental erosion. In adolescent girls, anorexia can delay the onset of menstruation, permanently minimize stature and result in osteoporosis. New guidelines for adolescent preventive services issued by the American Medical Association in December 1992, recommend all adolescents receive annual health guidance on ways to achieve a healthy diet and safe weight management, as well as the benefits of regular exercise.