Teen obesity is a dangerous problem, according to MayoClinic.com. Lifelong risks, such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure result from teen weight issues. Some teens experience emotional challenges from obesity during the adolescent years. Offering support to your teen to change her lifestyle will help her shed pounds and keep them off.
Physical Activity
Teens need at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Moderate activities include quick walking, playing group sports or swimming. If your heart rate is elevated, the activity counts.
Schedule a minimum of three muscle strengthening sessions weekly. Activities such as gymnastics and lifting weights count towards meeting this requirement. Your teen also needs three sessions of bone strengthening activities, like jumping or running. Include these activities in your teen's 60 minutes of aerobic activity daily.
Diet Modifications
Diet modifications are an important tool for teen weight loss. Your teen should eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, low-fat dairy and healthy fat sources, such as olive oil, avocados and nuts. Daily calorie requirements vary, based on your teen's weight, height and gender. Learn daily requirements for your teen through the MayoClinic.com Healthy Weight Pyramid Tool.
Also, talk with your teen about cutting out high calorie beverages. Cutting out a single can of soda trims 150 calories a day, or 1,050 calories a week from his diet. Switch to drinking water or sugar-free drinks. Drinking non-fat or low-fat milk rather than full-fat products also helps.
Avoid Fad Diets
Fad diets seem like a quick-fix to teens. Giving up entire food groups or eating too much of a single food compromises your child's nutrition, according to Kidshealth.org. Fad diets are also difficult to stick with long-term. Talk with your teen about avoiding diet pills as well. Some pills aren't effective and others are downright dangerous. The long-term effects of diet pills on a growing body are also unknown.
Family Support
Teens with the support of family members have better weight loss results, according to KidsHealth.org. Help your teen develop safe weight loss goals. Reward her for every milestone she accomplishes. Weight issues take a toll on a teen's self esteem, so stay positive. Combat unrealistic body images for teenager girls. Remind your teen there isn't a perfect body. A healthy body is most important.
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