Almost 20 percent of teens are considered obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An obese teen is at risk for health problems like heart disease, type two diabetes and depression, along with a host of social difficulties. By giving your teen the right tools for a healthy lifestyle, less of a focus is placed upon dieting and weight loss and more focus is placed on good habits.
Realistic Body Image
Teens are constantly bombarded with images from the media, magazine articles and music videos where stars have seemingly perfect bodies and plush lifestyles. Having a frank conversation about the fantasy world that is portrayed in the media and real life can help him feel better about her body and feel ready for a change. This can promote healthy weight loss instead of resorting to unhealthy means and even eating disorder in order to try and achieve an almost impossible goal.
Family Meals
Eating meals as a family can be a feat when you have responsibilities and time constraints, but it could have an effect on your teen's weight loss. A study published in a 2008 issue of "Archives of Pediatrics Adolescent Medicine" found that adolescent girls who ate meals with their families were less likely to suffer from eating disorders. Take time during meals to talk about healthy foods, instead of relying on unhealthy fast food to nourish your teen.
School Snacks
If your teen attends high school, he's away from you and your kitchen for up to 6 hours each day. This means that he is making his own food choices for the majority of time. By offering your teen healthy snacks and school lunch alternatives, you give him the opportunity to choose something healthier than cafeteria or vending machine fare. Plan for at least two healthy snacks along with a healthy lunch to keep your teen fueled and away from foods that will cause weight gain.
Organized Activity
The CDC suggests that teens get around 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Organized school activities provide an excellent opportunity for your teen to move her body and burn calories. Even if she isn't a typical jock, most schools offer outdoors clubs and fitness rooms for teens to use. If your teen is hesitant to join organized activity, look for ways that you can sneak in physical activity as a family, like going for hikes or biking to and from friends' houses. As your teen becomes more confident in her physical abilities, she may be more likely to try other sports and activities.
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