How to Deal With Teenage Obesity
One of the growing health concerns for parents across the world is obesity amongst teenagers.
This health risk is growing at an alarming rate and research indicates that most obese teenagers grow up to be obese adults.
Obesity is a condition where the fat percentage of a teenager is over 32% for girls and 35% for boys or when the teenager's body weight is over by 20% of their ideal weight according to their height.
There are several factors that lead to obesity.
Physical inactivity, bad eating habits, genetic patterns, chemical or hormonal imbalances, lower than normal metabolism etc can all lead to obesity.
However, the first two factors i.
e.
bad diets and lack of physical activity; are the primary reasons for obesity amongst teenager.
When to look for help? You should take serious note of your teenager's obesity and take medical and professional help if you see your teenager being unable to partake in any sport or physical activity in school, they expresses concern over their weight or if the school authorities feel that your teenager is overweight.
How can a parent help? There are a number if things that you can do to help your teenager get rid of the "obese" tag.
Your motive is to help your teen loose their weight and to do that you shall have to work with them.
Here are a few ways to help your teenager: ·Define the objective: You have to make your teenager understand that weight loss is simply the objective and not the goal.
The goal is to become a healthy and fit individual.
In order to do that your teenager will have to "stop" putting on more weight.
·Restrict TV/Video games/Computer time: The idea is to get your teenager to become more physically active and increase metabolism.
Hence you should avoid time in front of television or computer and encourage them to go out and play.
·Introduce physical activities: Help your teenager burn calories by introducing them to some active sport such as soccer, rugby, tennis, swimming, riding a bicycle etc.
This exercise is the most effective when you allow your teenager to choose the activities that they like rather than what you like.
·Diet: Consult a nutritionist or a health expert before you put your teenager on a diet.
Incorporate healthy eating habits by making food that is nutritional yet low on fat.
Keep the sweets as a treat and allow them to indulge in moderation on special occasions.
·Set the example: Being critical and singling them out because of their weight can lead to emotional trauma.
Set an example for your teenager by being physically active and eating right and healthy if you want them to succeed.
As a responsible and loving parent you will have to encourage your teenager to make healthy eating habit and being physically active second nature so that they grow into a healthy adult.
In the book "Solving Teenage Problems", several more tips and causes of teenage obesity have been provided.
Along with this the book also touches upon various eating disorders, which can lead to teenage obesity; their causes and tips to solve them.
This health risk is growing at an alarming rate and research indicates that most obese teenagers grow up to be obese adults.
Obesity is a condition where the fat percentage of a teenager is over 32% for girls and 35% for boys or when the teenager's body weight is over by 20% of their ideal weight according to their height.
There are several factors that lead to obesity.
Physical inactivity, bad eating habits, genetic patterns, chemical or hormonal imbalances, lower than normal metabolism etc can all lead to obesity.
However, the first two factors i.
e.
bad diets and lack of physical activity; are the primary reasons for obesity amongst teenager.
When to look for help? You should take serious note of your teenager's obesity and take medical and professional help if you see your teenager being unable to partake in any sport or physical activity in school, they expresses concern over their weight or if the school authorities feel that your teenager is overweight.
How can a parent help? There are a number if things that you can do to help your teenager get rid of the "obese" tag.
Your motive is to help your teen loose their weight and to do that you shall have to work with them.
Here are a few ways to help your teenager: ·Define the objective: You have to make your teenager understand that weight loss is simply the objective and not the goal.
The goal is to become a healthy and fit individual.
In order to do that your teenager will have to "stop" putting on more weight.
·Restrict TV/Video games/Computer time: The idea is to get your teenager to become more physically active and increase metabolism.
Hence you should avoid time in front of television or computer and encourage them to go out and play.
·Introduce physical activities: Help your teenager burn calories by introducing them to some active sport such as soccer, rugby, tennis, swimming, riding a bicycle etc.
This exercise is the most effective when you allow your teenager to choose the activities that they like rather than what you like.
·Diet: Consult a nutritionist or a health expert before you put your teenager on a diet.
Incorporate healthy eating habits by making food that is nutritional yet low on fat.
Keep the sweets as a treat and allow them to indulge in moderation on special occasions.
·Set the example: Being critical and singling them out because of their weight can lead to emotional trauma.
Set an example for your teenager by being physically active and eating right and healthy if you want them to succeed.
As a responsible and loving parent you will have to encourage your teenager to make healthy eating habit and being physically active second nature so that they grow into a healthy adult.
In the book "Solving Teenage Problems", several more tips and causes of teenage obesity have been provided.
Along with this the book also touches upon various eating disorders, which can lead to teenage obesity; their causes and tips to solve them.
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