Teen Wars: Salads Versus Pizza
Many teens are overweight and really want to be thin. Sometimes, their idea of how to take off the pounds is not necessarily the right way. Talk to your teen about healthy foods versus junk foods. Help them learn to eat healthily rather than allowing them to go on a crash diet. Be supportive by providing healthy meals at home and encourage them to make healthy choices on their own.
Thin Can Be Too Thin
There are times that a teen's weight loss becomes so dramatic that a parent cannot ignore there's a problem. When the problem ends up being an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia, the family has to get involved. Get the help of a doctor who can help the family deal with the teen's eating disorder. Most of these disorders stem from a low self-image, and they need the correct type of counseling and treatment to get the problem under control.
Don't Blow Smoke
Many teens experiment with smoking for weight loss. Yes, the smoking does tend to make them lose weight. In reality, they are trading their lack of effort to adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle for an addiction that could cause them health issues for the rest of their lives. Smoking is not a way teens or anyone else should lose weight. Of course, if a parent smokes, your argument to quit smoking is going to be more difficult. Perhaps you should consider getting healthy as a family and learn together the correct way to eat to maintain good health.
Move It to Lose It
Encourage teens to get active, start moving and learn that exercise can be fun. When your teen starts moving, she's going to start losing weight and become more healthy in general. Encourage her to find sports teams to become involved with, swim in the pool, walk in the mall or ride a bike through the neighborhood. Whatever activity your teen is interested in, be supportive. Spend time talking to your teen while walking. The walk will get you both moving, and you'll learn to enjoy your walks while you spend time together.
Get Real About Role Models
Help your teen to be realistic about the role models in his life and his own body type. Many teens can be confused about their self-image when they are constantly exposed to airbrushed models and pop stars in magazines. Discuss the importance of a healthy body image and a healthy diet to maintain a healthy weight; thin is not always healthy. The best role model a teen can have is his parent. Show your teen the right way to lose weight by incorporating a healthy diet and exercise plan in his life to manage or lose weight.
About this Author
Debra McCord is a part-time sports photographer and freelance writer. She is passionate about aerobics, yoga and fitness training. In addition, McCord has special interests in all types of dance and has published many online articles pertaining to fitness.
