Why are all the teens in my neighborhood so fat?

the kids in private schools aren't any better.but i will agree they are pretty disgusting.when i can go out shopping and be skinnier than the 14-16 year olds that i see when i walk into hollister or any other mall store there's definitely a problem

While I myself may not be thin, I'm far from what I'd consider obese. I'm heavier than I'd like to be, thanks in part to working at a desk all day instead of outside like I had been previous to this job. I do, however, still play football with freinds, still play baseball/softball, still play hockey (one of the most physically demanding sports), still go snowboarding, go fishing, go shooting, hiking, etc. I don't work out much, or as much as I'd like to, but I also don't have a lot of free time. I do get 2-3 hours of pure working out in a week, but I also have a 1 hour commute each way, 8 hours sitting at a desk working, and then 3 days a week I'm in college after work, don't get home until after 10 PM most nights. It's hard to find time to work out in there on those days, but I also eat sensibly and cook most days I can. I have two sons who will not grow up like the youth of today, and I assume full responsibility, which all the other parents need to do the same. They wonder what happened, but they don't regulate their kids. When I was growing up, there was no snacking between meals. I had breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If I was lucky I might have a bowl of ice cream after dinner or something like that every now and then, but that was the exception, not the rule.

mostly laziness. a parent takes the kid to a fast food restaurant because it's convenient. they don't have to cook, and the kids like the food. but the thing is nobody takes time to read about the nutritional facts of the food. I can't even eat out much at all anymore because there is way more fat and calories than needed for any particular item. it's just gross. parents also don't take the time to take the kids to the playground. a fun place for kids to get exercise.

I hope you realize this isn't ALL teens in american. I'm your average 17 year old girl american teen and I'll have you know I'm a size 3. And dressing like a hooker? Are you kidding? Sure our jeans are tight but I didn't know that meant we're hookers. YOU to me are disgusting and are a very closed minded person. I showed this question to my mom, she's also insulted that you're calling the parents lazy. How can you clump all american teens into this category?

I'm old and never fat, no toys, no video, mostly no TV, very little,,I played with a bike, sling shot, rocks and sticks, ever played stick ball?? now I have a computer, I hunt and fish alot, work my garden, play with my grand kids, fix my own truck, remodel my home,,are you lazy fat people listening ?? get out and do things

Fat kids usually have fat parents. Clearly this is the problem.

They use their Bridge cards to stock their cupboards and refrigerators with Doritoes, cookie dough ice cream, and pizza rolls.

It's interesting that not one of the answers you got mentioned a lack of parental supervision and early learning of good eating habits. For me, this is what is missing from most American households today.

Fast food and video games. Most kids don't play outside, ride bikes, play sports. If that doesn't change, they will just get fatter.

Playstation, Ipod, Xbox, WII, replaced hopscotch, bikes, rollerskating, and human contact.

One hand on the controller the other hand on a doughnut.

you must think you're entitled to give your opinion about a topic that clearly shows you're scrapping the bottom of the barrel. maybe the teens in your neighborhood are taking after you.

i can think of a million different things to worry about. sure obesity is an issue, you probably have an obesity issue yourself. layoff the hot pockets and move a little.