Weight loss is a touchy subject to broach with teens. On one hand, you want your children to be healthy, and on the other, you don't want to damage their self-esteem at this critical point in their development. According to the experts at the Mayo Clinic, the key to helping teens loose weight is not to focus on weight loss at all, but rather, teach techniques that relate to good physical, mental and emotional health.
Step 1
Ditch the diet mentality. According to a Stanford University study conducted in 2000, teens who dieted were more likely to become obese as adults. Diets set up patterns that can translate into unhealthy behaviors as adults. They can also lead to nutrient deficiencies and obsessive behaviors surrounding food and exercise.
Step 2
Don't outlaw or police food. While some foods are healthier than others, the idea that some foods are taboo and should never be eaten leads to food cravings and feelings of deprivation. According to Evelyn Tribole, MS, RD and Elyse Resch, MS, RD, FADA., authors of "Intuitive Eating," when you are allowed to eat whatever you want, you are likely to make healthy food choices more often. Policing food has also been shown to contribute to eating disorder behaviors.
Step 3
Talk frankly about realistic expectations. Talk with your teen about body image and the unrealistic body expectations they get from the media. Refocus the conversation to be about health and self-esteem rather than about fat or thin. Ask your teen to think of people they love and admire and pinpoint what it is they love about those people. Ditch the idea that self-worth is based on size.
Step 4
Re-learn food. According to the American Heart Association, diets rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean proteins are most effective at preventing heart disease. Moving toward a diet that consists more of these foods and contains less fast food, processed food and junk food will help your teen lose weight. Find delicious healthy recipes that your teen enjoys so she doesn't feel like she is being forced to eat celery sticks while everyone else eats pizza.
Step 5
Incorporate activity. According to the Mayo Clinic, teens need 60 minutes of physical activity per day. This doesn't have to mean going to the gym or playing sports. It could be taking a walk, playing with the dogs or dancing. Positioning physical activity as something fun rather than daunting or torturous will help your teen have a positive attitude about exercise as an adult.
Step 6
Lead by example. You can't expect your teen to eat healthy foods, get enough activity and focus on being healthy rather than being thin if you're on the couch with a box of cookies watching Baywatch. Make changes to your whole family's diet and find activities the family can do together. This will help your teen stay on task and not feel singled out.
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