Many popular diets rob a growing body of essential nutrients, increase a teen's risk of further health problems and don't have long-lasting results. Although no magical cure helps all overweight teens lose excess pounds, the most potent strategies involve making a lifelong commitment to healthy living. For some teens, this means signing up for a formal weight loss program. However, other teens can benefit just as much from following a homemade weight loss program.
Home Weight Loss Program
You will help your teen naturally lose weight by offering her a healthier diet and encouraging more physical activity in her day. By skipping the junk food aisle and spending more time in the produce section you will purchase more plant-based foods that are low in calories and rich in nutrients. Always have healthy snacks visible and accessible -- offer your teen snacks such as celery and peanut butter, low-fat string cheese, whole grain pretzels and snack bags filled with grapes and cherries. Your teen should also be getting about one hour of physical activity every day, so limit time in front of the television and computer to a couple hours per day. Invest in active equipment like rollerblades and bikes and plan for more active family hobbies such as hikes and trips to the skating park. Your teen will drop weight at a rate of about 1 lb. each week if she loses 500 calories every day through exercise and a healthy diet.
A Safe and Effective Program
Your teen may benefit from joining a formal weight-control program if he's struggling with self-esteem issues or having trouble coping with his weight. A safe and effective weight-control program can provide your teen with the tools he needs to handle social pressures and take control of his habits. Attributes of a quality program include an eating plan to cut calories without eliminating important food groups such as carbohydrates, tips to increase daily moderate activity, considerations for your teen's likes and dislikes, a goal to lose weight at a rate of no more than 2 lbs. each week, medical support and a plan to maintain the weight loss, according to the Weight-Control Information Network.
Formal Program Options
Medical weight loss programs such as surgery and drug treatments are not considered a standard care plan for teens and children because they are invasive and risky, according to the Aspen Education Group. Instead, doctors generally recommend behavior-altering methods such as in-hospital treatments or programs that allow the teen to get treatment in a clinic without being hospitalized. Alternately, your doctor might recommend that you send your child to a weight loss camp. Although you shouldn't expect a 360-degree turnaround in your teen after a single four to eight week camp session, a well-rounded camp program should gradually help your teen make long-term changes through recreational activities, educational programs and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Questions to Ask
Attend any weight loss program informational session prepared with a series of questions to ensure your teen gets the best treatment possible. Ask questions about the qualifications of its staff members to ensure that certified counselors and health professionals like dietitians and doctors are a readily available support system for your teen. Also ask questions about the program's track record -- such as, "What is the average weight loss of program participants?" and "What is the percentage of participants who have experienced side effects or problems?" recommends the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
References
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Healthy Weight Loss
- Mayo Clinic: Weight Loss: Six Strategies for Success
- Mayo Clinic: Teen Weight Loss: Healthy Habits Count
- The Nemours Foundation: How Can I Lose Weight Safely?
- Weight-control Information Network: Choosing a Safe and Effective Weight Loss Program
- Aspen Education Group: Teen Obesity and Weight Loss
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