How Does A Fat Teenager Lose Weight?

Seventeen percent of children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 are obese, a condition that carries health risks such as asthma, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Overweight teenagers can follow healthy eating and exercise programs to obtain an appropriate weight for their ages and height ranges.

Identification

Determining a healthy weight for teenagers can be complicated, because that can vary with specific age, height and sex. The CDC has a personalized calculator that accounts for height, age and sex and can help determine if you are, in fact, overweight in relation to similar teens.

Recommendations

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that adolescents work with parents and physicians to achieve a healthy weight. The two basic components for weight loss are diet modification and physical activity. If your school does not offer low-calorie meal options, pack fruits, vegetables or sandwiches with lean meat. Cutting hidden calories in sugary beverages, drinking plenty of water and eating a balanced breakfast will also help with overall weight loss. Choose a physical activity you enjoy, such as walking or team sports. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 60 minutes of daily moderate or vigorous exercise.

Time Frame

To lose one pound of body weight, you must create a 3,500-calorie deficit through diet and exercise. While the safe rate for adults to lose weight is one to two pounds per week, adolescents should work with parents and physicians to develop a safe weight-loss plan. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that obese adolescents lose approximately two pounds per week.

Significance

Maintaining a healthy weight in childhood and adolescence affects blood pressure, cholesterol and insulin levels and can lead to healthy weight as an adult. Moreover, the American Academy of Pediatrics warns that an overweight teen can experience the damaging psychological effects of teasing and discrimination.

Warning

It is important that teens work with adults as they follow their weight-loss regimen. Cutting calories to extremely low levels, such as below 800, can be dangerous. Extremely low-calorie diets interfere with metabolism and can lead to binges. Additionally, cutting out food groups can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies.