Obesity has become a national issue. Two thirds of American adults are overweight and 15% of teenagers are out of shape and overweight. Teen weight loss issues are important to address with a teenager in a compassionate and patient manner. It is also important to remember that as you address the issues of teen weight loss and fitness, they do not function at the developmental level of an adult.
Teenagers can be annoyed with excess fat on their body and they often have a distorted body image. When addressing a plan for teen weight loss, these issues must be included. Without understanding that teens see themselves differently than they really are, you won’t be able to help motivate them to continue to make healthy life choices.
Some teens may want to see a nutritionist to evaluate their eating and determine how to change their habits. Professionals can often give teenagers more advice than their families and friends. Professionals are more distant and there isn’t as much invested in the relationship. And, the teen does not see the professional as a challenge, but rather as an expert.
What does overweight mean? Overweight is the term used for anybody, teen or adult, who is above the ‘normal’ weight determined by using body mass index. The body mass index is a numerical equation that uses a person’s height and weight. These are norms that have been established but are only guidelines. However, a BMI over 40 defines obesity.
Teen weight loss should be approached in a supportive family environment. It is so much easier to achieve your goals when you are working with like minded supportive people. Even though adults are able to change the foods that are brought into the home, teens continue to eat while away from home. That’s why education about healthy nutrition is so important to the success of any teen weight loss program.
Parents can help by removing milk products, carbonated drinks, juices, junk foods and fatty foods from the home and the family’s diet. You know your teen best. Some teens respond to a global change quickly but most are successful by removing one type of product at a time from the diet. The goal for your teen is not to lose weight quickly but to change their eating habits to last a lifetime.
Keep nutritious snacks in the home. Teens snack constantly! They will reach for what is available and if chips and dip are handy that is what they will be eating. Try to keep grapes cleaned and off their stems in the fridge for an easy snack, apples, celery and peanut butter and bananas all make good quick snacks also.
Teens often suffer from poor self-esteem and poor self-motivation and it is the parents job to help gently encourage them. Any weight loss program is not effective with weight loss pills because they often affect a growing body adversely. Weight loss pills are designed for adult bodies that are done growing. Teens continue to require appropriate nutrition to feed their growing body.
Weight loss during the teen years can easily become a tug of war between parent and child. This only sets up your teen for failure. Make the process fun. Keep your patience and look for ways to make learning fun. Look for ways to keep your teen active through after school activities or sports. Today’s teenagers are well versed at the computer and gaming. Our responsibility is to teach them that movement and activity can be just as fun. Learning life long habits that will keep them healthy and fit will increase the success rate of growing happy healthy teenagers.
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