Advice for Helping Teens Lose
Weight
Losing weight as a teen is far different from
losing weight as an adult. Weight loss in a teen
depends on their age, the metabolic rate, their
eating habits, as well as the type of lifestyle
they lead.
For many teens, losing weight is easier than as an
adult, as the body burns calories much easier, as
well as quicker. Often, teens lead a much more
active lifestyle; they enjoy doing exercise,
walking, jogging or participating in some form of
sport. These types of exercises will only help to
boost a teen’s metabolism, and also increase the
amount of calories that they burn.
Teens could start with one of the many fad diets
that are around, but they should only use these for
about a week (anything longer will cause damage to
their bodies). After a week of using a fad diet,
they should then continue on a much more healthy
diet regime, and one which allows them to lose
weight more slowly (which is the best way to lose
weight healthily).
When on a diet, a teen should also lead a more
active kind of life; they can do this by exercising
whenever possible, or participate in some sporting
activity. This is especially important for
teenagers, as they are still growing, and they need
more food while they are still growing. So they
need to exercise in order to help remove some of
the extra calories they are gaining from the extra
food they are eating. So, get out and exercise. If
they sit around at home watching TV or playing on
the computer, they will soon find that their weight
has increased.
As a teenager, you have much more energy, so why
not put it to good use by taking up exercise or
some sports activity. It is best that a teen that
plays a sport or does some physical activity,
should choose one that they enjoy and will have fun
while doing it. The best benefit is that they are
not only exercising their bodies, but the will also
be burning off the excess fat and calories, and so
improving their health.
It is imperative, therefore, for those teens to
lead both an active life, and have a healthy diet,
in order to achieve maximum performance and
productivity. Many teens who lead such lives, find
that they are able to do everything they want, and
do not suffer from fatigue or weakness when doing
things.
Chapter 4 –
Some Simple Rules to Follow to
Help Teens Lose Weight Safely
In this chapter, we will look at some simple rules
which should be followed as a parent if you wish to
help your teen lose weight safely.
The key thing to a teen losing weight is that have
much healthier habits. Today, teenage obesity is a
growing problem, and there is plenty you can do as
a parent in order to help your teen with any weight
problems they may have.
Although there is no magic formula to helping your
teen lose weight, the real key to succeeding is by
helping them to lead a healthier kind of life that
they can then carry on into adulthood.
1. Talk to your Teen
If your teen is overweight, then they are probably
concerned about it too. Aside from there being
long term health issues involved, such as high
blood pressure or they may suffer from diabetes,
there are also the social and emotional issues
involved as well.
Offer your teen the support and gentle
understanding that they are looking for, and help
them to take control of the problem.
2. Unrealistic Images
For many teenage girls, their weight and how they
look can be a very delicate matter, and you should
remind them there is no perfect body out there.
Remind them that, what might the right weight for
one person, is not the right weight for somebody
else.
Instead of talking to them about fat or thin,
encourage your teenage to focus on behaviors which
will promote a much healthier weight. If you want
to, talk to your family doctor, and he will help to
set realistic goals for your teenager with regard
to body mass index, and the weight they should be
based on their age, height and general health.
3. Resist Using Quick Fixes in order to lose
weight rapidly
Help your teenager by teaching them how to lose
weight, and then keep it off. Many of the fad
diets around are likely to rob your teen of
essential nutrients, iron and calcium that they
need in their diet, as they are still growing.
Don’t allow them to take weight loss pills or other
quick fixes, as they will not address the root of
the problem, and the effects of these types of
treatment are short lived.
It is important to remember that only permanent
changes in their habits will help the weight they
lose to stay away.
4. Increase the amount of physical activity...