Adult attitudes toward overweight teens have a big impact on their motivation to shed pounds. Here's how to help them.
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20How To Help an Overweight Teen
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You Will Need
- Patience
- Understanding
- Awareness of your own healthy behaviors
- Family meals (optional)
- Group exercise (optional)
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Step 1
Don’t call them overweight
Don’t openly refer to the teen as overweight. This may make them feel ashamed and could make matters worse.
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Step 2
Ask if you can help them
Volunteer to help them become healthier rather than suggest they lose weight. Keep the focus on health rather than diet and weight loss.
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Tip
Encourage family meals together at the table instead of in front of the television, which can lead to overeating.
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Step 3
Don’t suggest dieting
Suggest fun forms of exercise and activities instead of dieting. Cooking together and exploring healthy food options will keep the focus on healthy lifestyles.
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Step 4
Don’t push things on teens
Employ gentle encouragement instead of pushing anything on an overweight teen. Their willingness to want to lose weight must, and will only, come from them.
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Step 5
Set an example
Model healthy lifestyle habits, including what you eat. Make sure your relationship with food is healthy – examples are powerful motivators.
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Tip
Engage in physical activities together such as bicycling, jogging, hiking, and rollerblading.
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Step 6
Show love and support
Show consistent love and support whatever they do.
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Fact
Did you know? In a study, lifting weights twice a week reduced the insulin resistance responsible for causing diabetes in overweight children and adolescents.
