When it comes to dieting, teens should not be placed on adult-like calorie-restricted diets. Teens are still growing and need to follow a well-balanced healthy diet to make sure they get all of the nutrients they need to support their growth, according to the Nemours Foundation. Consult with your teen's physician for advice on how to approach weight loss for your teen before starting any program.
Slimkids
Slimkids is a weight-management program you do with your teen at home. The program was developed by a nurse with more than 27 years of pediatric experience and approved by pediatricians and dietitians. The diet is a calorie-controlled plan, but is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and provides adequate nutrition to support your teen's growth and development, according to the website. Teens are not expected to count calories, but rather are taught how to control portions and make better food choices for weight loss. Teens lose about 1 to 2 lbs. weekly following the program. The Slimkids program includes diet guidelines, a food diary, sample meals, recipes, after-school snack guide and tips for holiday eating. The plan also includes online support to answer questions and help your teen reach her weight-loss goal.
Shapedown
Shapedown is a group-based weight-management program taught by trained professionals. It was developed by the faculty at the University of California School of Medicine at San Fransisco. Shapedown is offered all over the country and you can find a group in your area by sending an email through the Shapedown website. During the 10-week program, you and your teen meet weekly with other families to learn how to be more active as a family and make better food choices. Shapedown emphasizes family involvement to help promote and sustain your teen's weight loss. In addition to diet and exercise, Shapedown also works on building your teen's self-esteem and improving his body image. Teens usually lose about 10 to 12 pounds following the program, according to the website.
Go, Slow and Whoa
Go, Slow and Whoa is not a diet but an easy tool you and your teen can use to make better food choices for weight loss. It was developed by the U.S. National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute. The program divides foods into three categories. Go foods include healthy, low-calorie foods teens can eat as often as they like. Examples of Go foods include fruits, vegetables and whole-wheat bread. Slow foods contain more calories and should only be eaten a few times a week. Examples of Slow foods include juice, white bread and lean ground meat. Whoa foods are high in calorie and should be rarely consumed, says the Nemours Foundation. Eating too many Whoa foods will cause your teen to gain weight. Examples of Whoa foods include french fries, doughnuts, whole milk and fried foods.
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