Between the stress of standardized testing, impending college plans, homework and other everyday activities, it is easy for students to fall behind on their healthy eating habits and daily activities.

According to the Center of Disease for Control, “Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years.” Obesity rates among children and adolescents have reached outstanding numbers, and analysts suggest that these numbers will only grow larger.

Obesity is when one has an excess amount of body fat, which can be caused by certain diseases or simply poor lifestyle choices. Unfortunately, amidst school and extracurricular activities, students often tend to forget how important their eating habits are.

Fried foods, soda, chips, energy drinks and various other unhealthy foods often make their way into the diets of adolescents, thus resulting in weight gain and other unfortunate symptoms. The CDC revealed that obese adolescents are more likely to have pre-diabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a high risk for development of diabetes.

Overweight students also suffer from high blood pressure, depression, sleep apnea, various eating disorders, high cholesterol, certain types of cancer and many other health problems.

One of the most important healthy habits that students should practice is drinking more water. According to the Mayo Clinic, each person should drink eight ounce glasses of water every day. The human body is composed roughly of 60 percent water; therefore, it only makes sense that it is nourished with that same substance.

Teens should also attempt to stay away from fast or over processed foods such as McDonalds, Sonic and Taco Bell, and focus their time and money on foods that will nourish their bodies.

Though many high school students participate in sports, there is also a large majority of students who do not participate in any form of physical activity. Being active not only promotes a healthier body, but a healthier mind. Participating in physical activity helps the body release endorphins, thus creating a happy, sometimes euphoric, feeling.

Furthermore, studies have also shown that everyday exercise relieves stress, improves self-confidence and alleviates anxiety.

Adolescents are one Google search away from easy yet healthy meals that they can fit
into their busy schedules. Lean proteins, fresh fruits, vegetables and other nourishing foods can easily be found in any supermarket and in many cases, take little time to prepare.