Obesity continued to increase dramatically during the late 1990s for Americans of all ages according to the data collected and analyzed by the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).. About fifteen percent, or nine million teens and children under the age of 15 are obese today. This is triple what the obesity rate was in 1980. It is expected to grow to 20 even 30 percent as we move into 2007 and above. As you can see this is a problem that needs to be fixed promptly.Specific foods do not cause obesity. Overeating in general, along with inactivity, are the main culprits.If you regularly eat and drink more than your body needs, you will store the excess energy as body fat. The only long-lasting method of preventing obesity is to change both these factors: your diet and lack of exercise.It is shocking to know that a single fast-food restaurant meal often contains enough energy to meet your entire daily requirements. And many studies have shown that having a television, particularly in your teenager's bedroom, is a major risk for obesity.Measuring WeightFiguring out if a teen is overweight can be more complicated than it is for adults. That's because teens are still growing and developing.Doctors and other health care professionals often use a measurement called body mass index (BMI) to determine if someone is overweight.Doctors consider a teen obese when his or her BMI number is higher than the BMI numbers of 95% of other teens the same age and gender. Someone whose BMI number is between 85% and 95% of the BMIs of other teens the same age and gender is overweight.But how can we fix teenage obesity?First, it starts with the parents. Do you know that some of the same habits I picked up when I was 5 and 6 years old I still do today such as drinking a glass of orange juice before go to bed.Make your child get into good habits right away.Next, fast food should not be an easy way to fix dinner no matter how tired you are from work.Fast food is probably the quickest way to make your child fat. You are supposed to have around 2000 calories a day for the average person. A good amount of fast food meals have over 1200 calories in one meal. You do the math, that is not healthy.What can I do as a parent'As a parent you should educate your teenagers by encouraging a healthy diet and plenty of activity. By stocking the cupboards with healthy food and engaging in family meals, parents can have a huge impact on their teen’s health and weight. In addition, a research study conducted on teens successfully demonstrated that a diet that is well balanced and contains foods that rank lower on the glycemic index helps to promote weight lossWhen talking to teenagers about obesity they need to be encouraged not scolded about their weight and they need to be assured that loosing weight is a positive thing. Teenagers will need all the support that they can get and hopefully in time they can battle the bulge and live happy normal teenage lives!
Weight Loss For Kids
1. Make losing weight a family affair. Rather than just concentrating on your teen, try to adopt healthy habits as a family. Eating healthier foods at home and getting more exercise is good for the whole family. Try to encourage family members to eat more fruits, veggies and whole grains. Prepare menus that contain healthy food groups to ensure that your family is getting all the nutrients that they need. Practice leaving junk food when you do your shopping at the grocery store. Healthy foods may sometimes cost you more, but it' is worth investing in as it concerns the health of your whole family.2. Allow occasional treats as a break from the usual. That late-night pizza with friends or nachos at the mall doesn't need to be totally excluded from your teen's healthy-eating plan. Suggest a healthier alternative instead such as breadstick and marinara sauce instead of garlic bread dripping in butter and cheese. You can also opt for ordering a shared snack instead of a full-size order to lessen the portions. You can let your teen know that he or she can also have control over his or her eating choices and an occasional indulgence is acceptable. A trend towards developing healthier habits is what really matters rather than banishing your kid's favorite food totally.3. Plan fun and highly active family outings, such as regular walks at the park or weekend visits to a local recreation center. Such activities can greatly help keep your kids stay active. And not only that, such activities can also be a great way for the whole family to bond and enjoy each one's company.4. Be positive. With your kids being overweight, their feelings should also be put into consideration. How they feel about themselves can affect their motivation to lose weight. As a parent, you can actually influence how your kids will feel about themselves. You must help them realize that being overweight doesn't inevitably lead to a lifetime of having low self-esteem. Your acceptance of their condition is critical. Try to listen to your teen's concerns. Provide positive comment on his or her efforts, skills and accomplishments. You must always make it clear that your love and concern is unconditional and that it is not dependent on weight loss. This will make them more secure as well as confident in trying to motivate himself or herself from losing weight. You can help your teen learn healthy ways of being more open in express his or her feelings.5. Eat breakfast. This is usually a thing that is lightly taken in many families. But breakfast can really help your teen from keeping off those extra pounds. It may take some constant urging for your teen to get up early for breakfast, but always bear in mind that it is important. A well-balanced nutritious breakfast at the start of the day will jump-start your teen's metabolism. This meal will be able to give him or her energy to face the day ahead. Even better, feeling full each morning before going out of the house may keep your teen from eating too much during the rest of the day.These are just a few of the many things that you can do to help your teen from getting rid of excess pounds and keeping it off. It may take a bit of work on your part. But the rewards can be seen in knowing that your kids are learning to live a healthier lifestyle and grow and develop into healthy adults.
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