It’s official. Obesity is a disease. At least that’s what the American Medical Association decided last week. But in spite of the AMA’s ruling, there’s still some discomfort about the disease label. And, along with it, a continuing desire to better understand contributing factors.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have been looking closely at teenage obesity. New research published in UGA’s Journal of Adolescent Health says a combination of two factors increase the risk of obesity in teens: genetic sensitivity and community adversity.
According the study, researchers examined more than 14,000 adolescents over a 13-year period to determine risk over time. The data was collected through the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Results showed people with both risk factors had a significantly higher BMI or body mass index, commonly used to measure obesity.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about 30 percent of adolescents are overweight or obese.