Teen weight loss is a tricky subject. It is important for teens to eat enough to support their continued growth and development, which makes adult restrictive diets inappropriate. An weight loss program for teens should include teaching them about good nutrition and developing the habits to achieve a healthier weight that they can maintain into adulthood.
Shapedown
Shapedown is a group-based, family-oriented weight-management program. It was designed by the faculty of the University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco. At each two-hour weekly meeting Shapedown focuses on teaching teens and their families how to be more active and make better food choices. The program also works on building the teens' self-esteem and body image, while teaching parents how to set limits. Most teens lose 1 to 2 pounds a week during the program and have long-term success at keeping it off, according to their website.
Slimkids
Slimkids is a weight-management program teens can follow along with their parents at home. It was developed by a nurse with more than 27 years of child care experience. The Slimkids diet is based on the "Dietary Guidelines for Americans," which is a joint publication by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture, and is balanced to provide adequate nutrition to support the teens' continued growth and development. Slimkids has been reviewed and approved by both pediatricians and dietitians, according to their website. While on the program, teens learn about making healthier choices and controlling portions. The program includes diet guidelines, recipes, eating out guides, food diaries and sample meal plans. Most teens following Slimkids lose 1 to 2 pounds a week, according to the website.
Healthy Weight: Your Personal Plan
Teens often feel frustrated when they don't reach their goals quickly, and this is true when it comes to weight loss, according to the Nemours Foundation. To help teens get a handle on their weight, Nemours has created the Your Personal Plan program. It is not a weight loss program but an online diary teens can use to help them create healthy habits for a better weight. It is designed for teens to make small manageable changes and attainable goals so as not to be overwhelmed or disappointed. For example a small change may be to go for a walk after school at least three days a week with a goal of not gaining any weight over the next month. Once the change becomes a habit it is time to create a new change and goal.
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