Do Teenagers Care About Getting Fat?

Teenagers care about getting fat because their self-esteem is often tied to what others think of them. Overweight and obese teenagers can't compete with thinner, more attractive peers so they often feel unwanted and unaccepted. Even though judging a teenager because of his appearance is shallow and superficial, teens don't always apply logic when they assess their peers or choose friends.

  1. Self-Esteem

    • Teens, especially female teens, often view themselves according to how closely they match ideal images of women portrayed on television, movies, the Internet, and in magazines. A teenager is in the process of developing her personal identity and forming an overall sense of self, says professor of psychology Susan Krauss in an article on the Psychology Today website. Teens care about weight issues because they want their bodies to meet societal expectations. Many overweight and obese teenagers don't feel that they measure up to size and weight standards that often define beauty.

    Emotional Issues

    • Most teenagers care about getting fat because their emotional instability is often linked to their physical image. Obese teenagers and those who have weight concerns have an increased risk of developing emotional problems during their teen years, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. They tend to have a much lower self-esteem and aren't as popular with their peer groups. Some overweight or obese teens experience depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder because of their less appealing body image.

    Fashion

    • Teens often care about their weight because they want to dress fashionably and can't wear certain styles if they gain too much weight. Teen girls might not be able to wear fashion from the "Junior Department" at clothing stores and have trouble finding teen fashions in departments that carry larger sizes. Overweight teen boys might struggle to find jeans, shirts and athletic wear that fit properly. Most teenagers are aware of pop culture, so they want to wear clothing that is trendy and popular.

    Athletics

    • Some teens care about weight issues because they do not want the embarrassment of trying to keep up with their peers in physical education classes, according to HealthyChildren.org. Overweight and obese teens can't usually run as fast, play as hard or outlast their thinner, more athletic peers. They might not be able to meet simple challenges, such as jogging around the track or doing push-ups and sit-ups. They might also feel self-conscious changing clothes before and after gym class in front of their peers.

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