Teen Weight Loss: How Parents and Schools Can Help

More than 15% of children and teens in the United States are overweight or obese. This creates problems for them as their bodies continue to grow and on into their adult lives. Recent medical studies have shown that there has been an increase in high blood pressure among young people. A healthy diet combined with physical activity can prevent future medical problems associated with weight such as high blood pressure and Type II diabetes.

With the proliferation of fast food restaurants and with both parents working, fast food has become a way of life. The daily consumption of hamburgers with french fries and other high fat foods such as onion rings have made it easier for teens to gain weight. They are getting less of the nutrients needed for their growing bodies. The problem needs to be addressed as quickly as possible. Parents have a responsibility to assist their children to develop good eating habits.

The key to success in losing weight and keeping it off is to combine exercise with healthy eating. Healthy eating is not only eating foods with the proper nutrients but also in eating the correct portions of food. When your teen is no longer hungry, they should not continue eating because there is food on the plate. They should also be encouraged to participate in more physical activity programs.

The most difficult part of losing weight for teens as well as adults is the motivation to eat healthier and to exercise regularly.

Motivation for a teen comes from two sources: their parents and their schools. Classes on nutrition will teach them about healthy eating, required physical education classes, and sports teams will keep them active. Schools should also offer healthy meals. Offering healthy meals and snacks on a regular basis will encourage teens to develop good eating habits. That is not to say that an occasional hamburger with everything on it is wrong. These types of meals should be interspersed with healthy ones.

Sports teams are available at schools. There should be informal sports activities that teens can participate in. Fitness equipment that is usually reserved for the sports teams can be made available to all students. They would not have to join a varsity team to be physically active.

Parents should encourage their children to be physically active. This can be done by the family participating in activities together. It is easier to get children to change their habits if the parents are willing participants.