Lean Teens Use More Energy

Teens that eat more have more energy to burn. More calories give teens more energy leading to better energy balance.

This just in from the Medical College of Georgia, the most active teens seem to be the leanest. It seems that eating more created better energy balance allowing for more energy expenditure, where as those who ate less moved less in part because they didn’t have as much energy. It was first thought that those eating less (this group tended to be females) would be leaner but upon further consideration it was determined that their energy balance was off. Since they didn’t eat as much they had less energy to expend.

Also noted was the fact that females had a 30 percent body fat percentage compared to the males who had 18 percent. 36 percent of high school students, 28 percent of females and 44 percent of males, met recommendations for daily physical activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On school days, 21 percent of students play video or computer games or use a computer three or more hours daily for non-school related work and 37 percent watch three or more hours of television, the study showed. Males trended to more active, involved in after school sports and weight lifting, than females. They also participated in activities they could do alone or with friends such as running or swimming.

Once again the conclusion was that parents can improve their children’s habits by becoming more active and eating better themselves. Seems children will follow the examples set by their parents and other caregivers says Ms. Stallmann-Jorgensen. Contributing authors: Dr. Paule Barbeau, Dr. Bernard Gutin, Professor Emeritus; Jeannie L. Hatfield-Laube, research dietitian; Matthew C. Humphries, project manager; and Maribeth H. Johnson, biostatistician.