Wednesday, April 17, 2013

O-Obesity and Characters From YA Books



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According to the cdc.gov obesity in children has more than doubled and nearly tripled in teens. 

Overweight is defined as having excess body weight compared to height, where obesity is having excess body fat. Obesity has immediate and long term health effects, including: high cholesterol and blood pressure, prediabetes, development of diabetes, greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problem, increase risk of cancer, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Here are some characters from YA books that deal with the issue of obesity...


Ever from Skinny by Donna Cooner just had extreme-weight-loss surgery and the voice in her head "Skinny" tells her she's Hopeless. Freak. Elephant. Pitiful. Ever must learn to find her own voice.








Virginia Shreves from My Earth, My Butt, and Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler has a larger-than-average body and a plus-size inferiority complex, especially when she compares herself to her slim, brilliant, picture-perfect family.








Eric from Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher was a social outcast in junior high due to his excessive weight and found a kindred spirit in Sarah Byrnes, whose face and hands were hideously disfigured in a childhood accident.







Don't forget about the power of three!!!

As part of the A-Z Challenge, we at Moxie Writers have decided to use the power of three, linking Moxie Writers with our author sites. So what does that look like?

Moxie Writers will briefly address YA causes or tough issues facing teens and organizations that aid in the cause/issue.

At Rebecca’s site, she will share characters from books that centers around the cause/tough issue.

At Susan’s site, she will share a song with some lyrics that pertains to the cause/tough issue.

6 comments:

Dani said...

It's terrible the pressure on kids now-a-days about their weight.
Dani @ Entertaining Interests
#warriorminion

Natalie Aguirre said...

Weight is an issue for all of us. It's not healthy for kids to be obese and it's also not healthy with the obsession on girls wearing size 0 and 3 pants and shorts and how skimpy all the shorts are. For teenage girls, that's all there is. I'm glad some books are dealing with obesity and some need to make clear that their characters look normal like the rest of us.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

When I was in school, most of the kids were of average size. Now I look at teenagers and it's frighting how many of them are overweight.

DayDreamer said...

Although not about obesity, the YA series of Ugly has a body issue storyline right through it.

Teens often don't get out enough these days and just aren't as active as they used to be, sadly.

Jeff Hargett said...

This is an issue that often ravages one's self-esteem. Fortunately, I've only dealt with this second-hand.

Jerry said...

Helloo nice post