You don't have much money on you and you're hungry, so grab something to eat at a nearby fast food restaurant. Without realizing what you are putting into your body, you continue to eat these inexpensive meals every night on your way home from work. Weeks turn into months and soon after you notice that your clothes no longer fit the way you used to, you start to notice that you are gaining weight. Obesity among young Americans is a problem and can have serious consequences if nothing is done about it. Obesity is not a person with a few extra pounds to spare. This is a medical condition in which excess body fat accumulates to the point that it can affect health, causing a reduction in life expectancy and a possible increase in health problems. A person is not considered obese until they weigh at least 10 pounds more than the recommended weight for their body type and height. In most cases, obesity begins in adolescence and continues to grow from there. Obesity is not necessarily caused by someone eating all day and not incorporating any exercise into their diet. The causes of obesity are complex and range from genetics and behavior to cultural factors. Obesity can occur when a person consumes more calories than the body can burn. When both of a child's parents are obese, the child has an 80% chance of becoming obese. Even before you take your first bite, obesity could be your future based solely on your family genetics. The behavior is linked to obesity because when a person goes through stressful events such as a divorce, separation, moving, death or abuse, their body reacts differently and they are more likely to experience weight gain. Other reasons for obesity in teenagers are depression, low self-esteem, family and peer problems, lack of exercise… it's complicated and takes work to see changes in your body. I want to see. Diet and exercise must be continued permanently to keep the weight off. (Obesity in children and adolescents) Obesity is a problem that must be solved before it gets out of hand. Works Cited Citation Page Obesity in Children and Adolescents | American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry." American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Np, nd Web. May 25, 2010. http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/obesity_in_children_and_teens.Facts About Childhood Obesity and Overweightness - Statistics included |. Family economics and nutrition |. Find articles on BNET. May 26 2010. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EUB/is_1_12/ai_57512258/.