Adolescence. It is now thought that excess hyperplasia of fat cells is possible during periods of rapid growth when all body cells proliferate. One particular stage for this is the early adolescent period, around 12-14 years of age. Adolescents who are inactive at this stage and/or eating high energy foods, may develop more fat cells and then retain these for life. Crash dieting and binges that are common in adolescent girls may exacerbate the problem by setting patterns for fatness and may be one reason for long term obesity problems.

Physical activity at this stage of life is vital. Excessive TV viewing in adolescents has been linked with inactivity which may foreshadow the development of obesity in an adult. Prevention strategies at this critical period are obviously preferable and easier than trying to cure overfatness later in life. More recognition needs to be given to this fact in public health approaches to the problem.

One prominent study carried out in the US has shown that strategies which decrease TV viewing and other inactive pastimes may be more effective as a fat loss technique in children than attempting to increase their involvement in physical activity and sports.

Myth-information. Any fat loss program that proclaims ‘no exercise, no effort’ needs to be looked at suspiciously. While it is possible to lose fat through diet alone, long term maintenance of fat loss requires at least a moderate level of physical activity.

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