Article by Mary Tanady
Children become more conscious of their bodies as they approach the puberty stage, and all the body changes taking place can be quite overwhelming for most kids. This is also the time when they worry about their weight because of the snickers and even bullying that they may be receiving from other kids in school. Thus, it’s not really fun for a child to be overweight during the early teenage years and losing weight should be considered a serious priority. Unless something is done about the weight issue, there maybe other issues that could prop us such as low self esteem or even depression.
If you have a teenager who is struggling with weight, do not take it for granted that the battle is just his or hers. As a parent, it should be your concern to assist your teenager in losing weight, because not only does weight problem bog down a teenager’s social life, it can also affect health and even lessen your child’s motivation to study.
How do you go about helping your teenager lose pounds? Here are a couple of tips that may be helpful:
1. Make sure your child is ready to get onto a weight loss program. Explain to your teenager the health risks that will result if his or her weight problem is not addressed. Let losing weight be a joint effort between you and your teenager, to make the program work. You need your child’s cooperation to handle this problem and to find solutions together.
2. Set a good example. You can’t be nagging your child about being heavy and not having the right eating habits, if you, yourself is just as bad. If you’re also on the heavy side, plan your diet and exercise routines together with your teenager and go through the weight loss program with your child. It will strengthen the bond between you and will get your child more motivated if you are actively participating in the program yourself.
3. Choose meals that are not only nutritious, but low in fat and sugar. Make it the whole family’s business to take care of family health by choosing the right foods and getting on a good exercise routine.
4. Find support groups for your child. There are other mothers whose children are also wanting to lose pounds. You can network with these mothers in your community so that your teenager can enjoy the support of other kids of the same age. You can both join a health club where you and your child can meet people with the same goals of losing weight and improving health.
5. Consult your pediatrician who maybe able to recommend a dietician, or a psychologist who can use behavior therapies that can help your teenager evaluate his or her eating habits and realize what can be done about the weight problem.
6. If your child really needs intervention, take him or her to weight loss camps. However, choose the best one, based on recommendations of friends and relatives. Select the one that teaches your child to keep the weight off for good, not just while inside the camp. Make sure that the program is safe, and does not advocate speedy weight loss that may be detrimental to your child’s health.
There are many more you can do to help your teenager achieve weight loss. Sometimes, a regular weekend activity like swimming, tennis, or family hiking can motivate your child to live a more active life, that can also help in reducing pounds.
About the Author
Mary Tanady desires to write articles since 3 years ago. Not only this author loves to write in the topic of weight loss, but also in beauty, dieting, fitness training and health. Visit her latest website on http://www.rubystudearrings.org/ which reviews about ruby stud earrings.
