Does Your Teenager Think They Are Over Weight?
July 5th, 2009 by owner
Has your teenager stopped eating because they think they are overweight? Are they always talking about a diet plan or other ways to lose weight? Beware! Your teenager could be heading for some serious health problems. Here is what you need to do to help them.
Due to the danger in most diet plans, it is important to consult their doctor before beginning any diet. In most cases, a doctor will be against putting a teenager on a diet. If your teen does need to be put on a diet, it’s important to go about it the right way.
Teens are at an age where peer pressure has a serious affect on their body and mental image of themselves. Many healthy teens will become obsessed about a weight problem that doesn’t exist. This often makes your teen create a dangerous situation by starving themselves.
The best type of teenage diet plan is one that incorporates all the nutrients needed to build strong bones and maintain general health. It’s normal for teens to carry a small amount of extra weight which they will lose as they continue to grow. Impress upon your teen that everyone is not supposed to be the same. If your teen must be put on a diet, have your doctor set up a healthy plan.
Just because your daughters best friend weighs 105 lbs doesn’t mean that it is healthy or even an attractive weight for your daughter. There are many factors that come into play when it comes to a healthy weight such as height, bone size, and family history.
The first thing your teen must do is eliminate most if not all junk food. Besides having no beneficial nutrients, these types of foods are loaded with empty calories and fat. Eating too much junk food can actually put your teen at risk for weight related diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Exercise is essential to your teen’s well being. In many cases exercise is all that is required for losing that unwanted weight. If your teen exercises regularly they will build lean muscle which naturally burns calories.
In order for your teen to get the greatest benefit out of their diet plan it is important that they replace that junk food with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Also, eating small portions of lean meat can help teens lose weight as it aids in the digestion process. Cook them meals with chicken and fish and keep them away from large amounts of red meat. Red meat is high in fat and is harder to digest.
All teens should be getting plenty of skim milk as it has less fat then whole milk and still contains the necessary calcium. Replacing juice drinks and soda with water is crucial. Explain to your teen that water will keep their skin healthy and reduces acne. Mention reducing acne and healthy skin to your teen and they will listen.
Learn more about losing weight by clicking here.
