Overcoming Teen Obesity

In addition to being extremely difficult for your teen's body image, obesity is a critical factor in determining quality of life and longevity. If your teen is overweight now, the likelihood of him or her having heart disease later in life is significantly increased.

Approaching your teen about weight issues can be extremely sensitive and difficult, especially if your teen is struggling with obesity. However, by using the right approach, you may be able to help your teen make differences that will literally save his or her life.

Lead by Example

One of the most profound ways in which you can make an impact on your teen about maintaining healthy weight is to lead by example. If you stop sitting in front of the TV eating potato chips, your teen might stop doing it too. If your teen sees you exercising and being active, he or she may be willing to join you. Invite your teen to join you on a walk, or sign up for a charity walkathon together and walk regularly to prepare for it.

Remove Unhealthy Choices

We often do not realize how difficult it is to combat obesity when the food in our homes contributes so significantly to it. You can help your teen combat obesity by simply making certain changes in your grocery shopping habits. Make sure to keep plenty of fruits and vegetables in the house. Stop buying junk food, including candy, cookies, and soda. Switch from white bread to whole grain. Buy cereal and encourage your teen to eat a bowl of cereal for breakfast each morning (studies have shown that people who eat cereal for breakfast not only maintain their weight better but also have better glucose levels throughout the day).

Intervene Early

Obesity is caused by overeating, but determining the cause of the overeating may help combat the problem. Teens overeat out of habit, out of boredom, and out of depression. In some cases, it may be due to the consumption of drugs, but most often it is something that can be treated or addressed. Let your teen know how much you love him or her, but be willing to be straight about your concerns about your teen's weight issues. If you have previously struggled with weight, talk to your teen about your own struggles. If your teens are depressed or bored, help them find activities that fuel their passions and motivate them to do something new and exciting.

If you are concerned about your teen's health because of obesity, make an appointment NOW with your teen's physician. Often, hearing the same things from the doctor that your teen has heard from you will make more of an impact.

Don't Judge

Do not judge your teen by his or her image. Do not try to relate their ability to lose weight with popularity at school or how well you like him or her as a person. In fact, start recognizing the amazing and wonderful things about your teen that will help boost his or her confidence and self-esteem so that conquering obesity becomes a surmountable challenge.