According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, citing results from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, about 17 percent of children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 are considered obese. Overweight is defined as being any point over the ideal weight range while obesity is a minimum of 20 percent over the ideal body weight. If your teenager is obese, your doctor might recommend aggressive lifestyle changes in order to quickly get her back to a healthful weight.
Family Dieting
You need to make changes as a family for a teen to lose weight quickly. He is likely to overeat if you stock the cupboards with junk food and serve fatty dinners. Instead of focusing on his weight loss, make it about the entire family getting in shape. Head to the grocery store and pick up fruit for snacks, lean proteins and veggies for dinners. Instead of serving soda and fruit juice, give water and skim milk for beverages.
Exercise
Get your teen moving if you want to help her get to a healthy weight. Limit screen time to two hours per day. Never allow her to eat in front of the TV or computer. Take walks and bike rides as a family. Give her chores that require her to exercise, like walking the dog. Find out whether she is interested in joining a school sport team or community team. Fitness centers also commonly offer exercise programs for teens.
Healthy Eating Outside the Home
Encourage healthful eating and exercise outside of the home. Talk to your teen about making healthful food choices when eating at school or a friend's home. Start off each day by serving him a healthful breakfast. If he skips breakfast, he is more likely to overeat when he's outside the house. Some breakfast options to help him lose weight include whole grain bagel with reduced fat cream cheese, fruit salad and yogurt, whole grain cereal and skim milk and egg whites with low-fat cheese.
Weight Loss Camps
If your teen is unable to drop the weight quickly at home, you can speak to your doctor about residential treatment options. Weight loss camps and similar programs teach teens how to make healthy food choices while also increasing their level of physical activity. Due to the restricted menu, counseling sessions and daily exercise, the teen is likely to lose weight at an accelerated rate.
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