Body image is a major issue in a tween's life, according to the parenting magazine "Scholastic." However, when it comes to weight control and dieting, tweens should not be placed on a low-calorie adult diet. If you want to help your tween feel better about herself, choose a diet that emphasizes the creation of healthy habits that she can continue into adulthood.
Shapedown
Shapedown, founded by faculty members of the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, is a healthy eating program for tweens. It is a 10-week weight-management program that divides participating kids into age-appropriate groups. The tweens meet once a week with trained professionals and their parents to learn about a healthy lifestyle for a healthy weight. Instead of being placed on a restrictive diet, the tweens learn about increasing physical activity and making better food choices. In addition to learning about diet and exercise, Shapedown works on improving self-esteem and body image. It is also a family-focused program. Shapedown believes kids are more successful with weight loss if the whole family participates.
Slimkids
Slimkids is an at home weight-management program. It was developed by a pediatric nurse and has been approved by pediatricians and dietitians, according to the website. The Slimkids diet is a well-balanced diet designed to provide the right amount of nutrients to support a tween's continued growth and development, and is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Tweens are placed on calorie-controlled diets, but do not count calories. Instead, they learn how to control portions and make healthier food choices. The program includes diet guidelines, a food diary, sample menus, recipes and holiday eating guidelines. You also have access to online support once you order the program.
Go, Slow and Whoa
Go, Slow and Whoa is not a diet but a tool you can use to teach your tween how to make better food choices to get to a better weight. The program divides food into three groups. The Go group includes low-calorie healthy food choices. Tweens can eat as much as they want from the Go group. Foods include whole wheat bread, fresh fruits and 1 percent milk. Slow foods usually have more calories and fewer vitamins and minerals than Go foods. Tweens should only eat Slow foods a few times a week. Slow foods include pancakes, 2 percent milk and juice. Whoa foods are high in calories, and if eaten too often lead to weight gain, according to Kids Health website. Tweens should think twice before eating a food from the Whoa group. Examples of Whoa foods include chicken nuggets, french fries and doughnuts.
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