Are Youth Obesity and Substance Use Related?

Are Youth Obesity and Substance Use Related?

A new report by the Trust for American’s Health shows that the national childhood obesity rate is now 18.5%, which is an 85% increase over the past 30 years. 

Are youth obesity and sedentary lifestyle associated with substance use? 

Research has indicated that adolescent substance use is linked to subsequent obesity in young adulthood (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3777808/) and obese adolescents are more likely to be maladjusted and have higher levels of marijuana use and cigarette smoking (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4674346/).

In addition, physical inactivity in adolescence is associated with greater youth substance use (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4820153/).

Learn more about how today’s adolescents are likely to experience multiple, co-existing health risks and what can be done to promote the “whole health” of youth in your region and state.

Register for the upcoming free webinar: “How Prevention Specialists Can Address Multiple Adolescent Health Behaviors”: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZXD13LY0Qbu-uRBUv2S1BA

Read the new report on the increasing US obesity rates among youth and adults: https://www.tfah.org/report-details/stateofobesity2019/

Please like and share this information with others in your region and state.  Thank you!

"The opposite of substance use isn't non-use, 
it's wellness!"

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.