Obesity rates have dramatically increased during the past 30 years, especially in teens. According to the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 18 percent of teens aged 12 to 19 are obese. Obese teens are more likely to become obese adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A diet for obese teens should not be overly restrictive and should encourage the intake of healthy foods. Teens should consult with their physician before starting any weight-loss plan.
Shapedown
Shapedown is a family-oriented, group-based weight-management program. It works on helping teens and their families make healthier choices to get to a healthier weight. Shapedown says teens who have the support of their families have more success at losing weight and keeping it off. Teens and their families meet once a week for 10 weeks to learn how to be more active as a family and make healthier food choices. The Shapedown diet is not overly restrictive and teens do not feel deprived, according to the Shapedown website. In addition to learning about diet and exercise, Shapedown also works on improving the teen's self-esteem and body image while teaching parents how to set limits. Teens who follow the Shapedown program lose 1 to 2 lbs. a week, according to the website.
Slimkids
Slimkids is a weight-management program teens do at home with their parents. Slimkids was designed by a nurse and has been approved by pediatricians and dietitians, according to the website. The diet is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and is balanced to provide adequate nutrition to meet the teen's needs for growth and development while still promoting a weight loss. Teens who follow the program usually lose 1 to 2 lbs. a week, according to the website. The program includes diet guidelines, a food diary, sample menus, recipes, an after-school snack guide and tips for healthy eating at holidays. Parents of teens also have access to online support after they order the program.
Teen Health--Losing Weight Safely
The Nemours Foundation says the best way to lose weight and keep it off is to create healthy habits a teen can continue for a lifetime. Nemours offers a number of tips to help teens make better choices to get to a healthier weight. For example, Nemours says an easy thing for teens to do to limit calorie intake is to eliminate all juice, sports drinks and soda from their diet. Instead teens should choose more water and sugar-free beverages to quench their thirst. Nemours also suggests that teens focus on eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and help teens feel full on fewer calories.
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