We all know that there are many factors that are adding to the increase in obesity such as sedentary lifestyles and relying too much on unhealthy fast or processed foods. We are also all to aware of the health risks associated with being overweight. The younger you are when you gain weight, and the longer you carry that extra weight, the more you risk getting some serious health issues later in life... and not that much later either. Many obese kids start having serious health issues well before they reach the age of thirty.
Some of the most common issues are heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and many emotional issues as well such as low self esteem and depression.
The good news is that there are things you can do to help your teenager get in better shape and learn to make better lifestyle choices. There are many weight loss programs that provide pre-packaged foods. While I'm not a huge fan of them since I worry what will happen when they go off the food plan, I do believe that it can be helpful for the busy family that simply doesn't have time to sit down for a good dinner every night. It's better than fast food.
Your doctor can also help you with finding a good nutritious food plan that the whole family can follow. You also want to encourage your teen to get more exercise. This can be simply to make taking the dog for a walk an everyday part of their chores. You can get a gym membership or some gym equipment for home. You can hire a personal trainer to work with your kid. And last, but not least, you can workout with your kid. The best way to help your kid learn better habits is to lead by example. Show them that working out, while hard work, can also be fulfilling and help them get in better shape while feeling better about themselves.
Teenagers will not generally confide in their parents if they are getting bullied at school, but if your kid is overweight, it's a pretty safe bet that they are having to endure at least a little bit of harassment. Even though they may not admit it, if you point out that these changes will help them lose weight, get healthier, and look better they may very well find the motivation they need to continue to make changes. It's all about learning better habits like eating better and getting more exercise. No need to make things more complicated than they have to be. Keep it simple and you can help the obese teenager in your life.
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