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