Your Bod

IN THE NEWS: Warning Signs

Obesity is obviously a major problem in America. But most teens don’t see the effects (like, say, heart disease) until later in life. But, sadly, that might’ve changed.

USA Today reported docs have noticed a scary new teen trend: inactive, overweight kids with liver damage caused by body fat. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (as it’s called) can damage this vital organ and a few kids have even needed transplants.

Up to 10% of all kids could have this disease, but there are def warning signs to look for, like heart trouble, diabetes and being overweight. Genes may play a role in whether or not teens develop liver disease, but what ya eat and whether ya workout were key players, too.

Luckily, if liver disease is caught early enough the effects can be reversed by dropping pounds and returning to a healthy weight.

BY JIAE K. ON 9/8/2008 1:32:00 PM 36 COMMENTS

36 READER COMMENTS

wow...i'm at a school computer...i didn't know that

nirvanaluver on 9/8/2008 2:05:35 PM

scary!

blonde♥girly on 9/8/2008 3:41:05 PM

huh? why didn't u know that u were on a school computer???

mhwise27 on 9/8/2008 4:56:07 PM

dude. way scaryy

twilightluver28 on 9/8/2008 5:24:37 PM

that is scary.

SportyBFF25 on 9/8/2008 5:39:43 PM

just eat healthily, excersie a lot, and don't eat junk.
we do need this to stop, there are too many obese people. some people are so fat they have to go in a wheelchair coz they cant move by themselves. thats how serious this is.

ttyltori on 9/8/2008 6:13:20 PM

that's pretty freaky

hollisterchic1102 on 9/8/2008 6:22:26 PM

MOD-There is this guy I kinda like,but he never lets anyone get close to him.He's one of those people with like,one best friend.Any tips to open him up?

Why don't you try opening up to him? Sometimes all it takes for someone to open up is to hear a little bit about someone else.

PEACE OUT!

Cassie

shrimpsauce on 9/8/2008 6:32:58 PM

The first symptom of liver failure is jaundice. That's when you turn yellowish. The first place jaundice shows up is under you tongue.
And, P.S.
You know what's even scarier? What you eat may play an important role in whether or not you get cancer.

Somebody on 9/8/2008 6:57:14 PM

MOD --
Is 12 too young to start running? My dad is starting to ask me to go on runs with him, not in the gym, but just around town. I'm not sure if it would look like weird or anything! Thanx in advance! xoxo

I don't think so! You're just being healthy and starting to get into a good exercise routine...Nothing wrong with that.

PEACE OUT!

Cassie

ShopperSoccerGurl on 9/8/2008 7:06:03 PM

MOD
My older sister eats and eats and eats, doesn't excercise at all, and is very overweight. She has a lot of self-confidence, which I admire, so she's ok with her weight. But she is sooo unhealthy. I used to be the same way, but then I realized being healthy is important, so I don't dread PE as much anymore. I want my sister to see she's shortening her life, and she'll regret it late in her life, but every time I try, (and i've tried to do it nicely, and in casual ways so im not pressuring or being mean) she gets mad at me and yells at me to butt out. WHAT SHOULD I DO???

milliebilly789 on 9/8/2008 7:07:26 PM

milliebilly789 on 9/8/2008 7:08:15 PM

scary!!! glad i'm not over weight!

lollipopz01 on 9/8/2008 7:10:17 PM

MODI'm not fat,but I'm not bikini skinny.How do I get to a bikini fit !

AbercrombieQueenArtist on 9/8/2008 7:11:24 PM

its scary how many obese people there are. i dont understand it.

fashionista8613 on 9/8/2008 8:10:04 PM

MOD ok so i've been BFFs w/ this grl, I'll call her Claire, since 3rd grade and she's the best BFF i've ever had. I can tell her anything and she'll understand, and we both have the same interests. But there's this other girl, I'll call her Liz, who we met last year, and she forced us to be her friends. Claire said that it was fine she could be our friend, and I kinda (but not really) gave in. last friday i had them both over to sleepover, and they would NOT stop fighting. We wanted to hang out today and Claire couldn't have us over, so Liz just hung up on her. I never wanted to be Liz's friend, but I don't want to hurt her feelings because she's really weird (like she thinks that a bright green skirt with aqua crocs is cool) and she has no other friends. WHAT DO I DO?

Furler Fan on 9/8/2008 8:31:06 PM

Thanx Cassie!

ShopperSoccerGurl on 9/8/2008 8:57:34 PM

MOD I know I'm overweight. I walk to and from school everyday. If I'm 14, almost 15 years old and 5'2'' and 128 pounds am I at risk?? Please tell the truth.

no, you are NOT at risk! You are normal! Laura

MunkQoo on 9/8/2008 9:37:58 PM

***MOD****
I am 12 years old and i eat healthy(i barely ever have any sugary products).I am about 5'6" and i weigh 170 ibs.I eat healthily and i exercise all the time.I dance everyday,I run every day in pe and after school 4 times a week.I also walk 3 times a week.But i am still overweight i dont know whats wrong with me?do you.Oh by the way i am getting my gall bladder and appendix removed tomorrow because i have gallstones)=.

Hey babes, Maybe you arent overweight. If you work out a lot you are going to put on muscle mass. I weigh 140 and i am 5'3. I am quite healthy. Youre 3 inches taller than me, it only make sense that you weigh more than me. The best advice I can give to you is, if you were unhealthy your doctor would tell you. xo JANA

Burnin'Up222 on 9/9/2008 3:01:03 PM

MOD
I hurt my finger bad and I cant really do anything with it for a whole week and if I dont follow that then I have to go longer! ANyway, is there any exerise I can do that wont involve my hands besides stuff like running... sit ups etc! thanks!

hey babes, unless youre doing yoga or lifting weight you can pretty much do anything. Try swimming or the elliptical, you could even go bike riding.

missbayleeheartsyou on 9/9/2008 3:55:56 PM

OMG!!! secret life of the american teenager is on 2 nite at 8!

watsonjr55 on 9/9/2008 4:41:56 PM

MOD: Im 12 and bout 4'9-5'1. Is 123lb. healthy? I usually outside alot and i love swimming and i'm putting on muscles (said my sis and shes a nurse in the army ). Am i healthy?

I think youre fine. xo JANA

~iheartcharlie~ on 9/9/2008 7:04:25 PM

YAH! Thanks Jana! :0 my mom thought i was overweight!

~iheartcharlie~ on 9/9/2008 7:15:07 PM

mod: my thighs and legs are huge but my butt is very tiny how do i get them to be skinner i know i have to work out but i don't know what kinds of excerises to do

Hey babes,the best exercise is cardio...run/walk/bike ride your way to fitness. xo JANA

abercrombieluvr on 9/9/2008 7:46:34 PM

totally scary!

Jenny N on 9/9/2008 7:54:08 PM

thanks because when i shop for jeans the legs on it are very tight , in the back you could put 3 fist in there

abercrombieluvr on 9/9/2008 7:56:34 PM

MOD: lately, ive been getting this urge to eat sweet things. I can control it sometimes, but its getting stronger and stronger. what should i do?

Hey babes, sweets are alright in moderation, denying yourself will just make you binge on it later. Try having a diet soda or a piece of sugarfree to curb the craving. xo JANA

morningglory888 on 9/9/2008 8:11:50 PM

hey please check out my profile/avatar, you can't really read what it says from here!

gotmilk? on 9/9/2008 9:20:45 PM

MOD
im 5'5" and 118 lbs. is that healthy???

Hey girl,

I think 118lbs. is a good weight for someone your height. But, don't be afraid to talk to your parents about health concerns, maybe they'll set up an appointment for you to see a doc. Speaking with a doctor is the best way to learn more about your bod. Also, check out our Bod Squad hub at: http://www.girlslife.com/hub/bod-squad.aspx. Chardae B.

blondie323 on 9/10/2008 2:27:48 PM

i have 2 friends who r obese,and i probablt have 1million friends who r underweight.
im probably in tween,on the fat side...

Lil' Hottie on 9/10/2008 4:31:38 PM

MOD!!!! I'm about 5'1" and weigh about 95 lbs. Is that healthy? Cuz compared to some of the girls in my grade, which are probably in their 80's, I sometimes feel overweight.

You are not overweight, if you were your doc would say something to you. xo JANA

heatherox96 on 9/10/2008 5:49:07 PM

consider this, if you do cardio t=kinds of things, your gonna put on muscle which is heavier than fat, so you could be ten, 110 lbs, and be healthy and NOT overweight.

~iheartcharlie~ on 9/10/2008 10:40:49 PM

talk about scary!!

sparky4me on 9/12/2008 5:35:44 PM

im overweight for my age but i can outrun my friend who set the record for the mile.My pe teacher says not to worry about it cuz we got jr.high and highscool to go.
Im a freak and i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i love fez on 9/13/2008 11:11:28 AM

just becuase a kid is diabetic doesnt mean they have to be fat actually type one diabetics are normally to thin i know i am a type one diabetic! Maybe you should write about diabetic kiods (type one) and warning sign its better to find out now then to have been hospitalized trust me i know!

Monkeelubr16 on 9/14/2008 11:18:28 AM

I am 130 and I'm aroun 5'2, am I overwieght because I was thinking to start doing Tae-Bo nd start running. Is that too much.

Jamerican girl on 9/15/2008 8:44:47 PM

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Your Bod

IN THE NEWS: Warning Signs

36 READER COMMENTS

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