Teenage obesity is one of the fastest-growing health problems in America. Beyond the physical complications that accompany obesity, there are emotional and psychological effects that reach deep into a teenager’s self-esteem.
The country is expanding around the midsection at an alarming rate, and about thirty percent of Americans understand the obesity struggle. The fact that we have taken the nation’s youth along for the ride is, in itself, somewhat appalling. Coping with teenage obesity is a family problem, and it requires a family solution.
Overweight teens are three times more likely to experience depression. Often, their weight problems began in childhood, and by the time they reach adolescence, they have developed numerous coping and defense mechanisms. They may not even seem interested in reducing their weight.
Practical Steps for Addressing Teenage Obesity
Consulting with a nutritionist is a great first step. Understanding how the problem developed is crucial in reversing the situation. The entire family will need to make sacrifices. What goes on the dinner table goes into everyone’s mouth. You are preparing a family meal, aren’t you? You can’t expect your teenager to continue feeding herself her own food choices when relearning the eating process. Make the time for family meals, and at all costs, refuse to allow everyone to be responsible for providing their own dinner arrangements.
Replace the junk food in the house with healthier snacks. If unhealthy food isn’t readily available, your overweight teenager is less likely to eat it. Healthy food doesn’t have to taste like cardboard. There are plenty of delicious options that contain fewer calories, lower fats, and still taste like a yummy treat.
Teenage obesity is, in fact, an eating disorder. Just like you would seek out help for an anorexic child, you need to recognize that obesity is just as serious. While your child probably developed bad habits in childhood, as time passed and ridicule began, food became a source of comfort. It’s no longer just about sitting in front of a video game or the television and snacking. The problem is now a deeply rooted issue that needs attention, just as desperately as anorexia or bulimia in teenagers.
Encouraging your child every step of the way will make a big difference. Celebrate the five-pound losses, or even one-pound milestones, and join your teenager during scheduled exercise time. Be mindful of the example you set. Is she coming home only to find you lounging on the couch, crunching on popcorn while watching television? Or can she count on you to get up and go for a walk with her every day?
There will be setbacks. Your teen will have weak moments where she will cheat. Shaming her into feeling as though she has ruined every ounce of progress is counterproductive. Nobody is perfect, and the important thing is that she refocuses and gets back on track.
Over nine million teenagers in the United States are significantly overweight enough to be considered obese. She is not alone, and she needs to know that she isn’t the only one out there struggling with the daily battle in her mind. She might want to eat it, but it’s bad for her—yet the temptation is strong, and she might feel it doesn’t matter because she’s not surrounded by a large group of friends.
This self-talk is destructive. It leads to failed attempts, damaged self-esteem, and an overwhelming sense of failure. Help her connect with other teenagers who are slowly but successfully losing their excess weight.
Teenage obesity dramatically shortens life expectancy. It leads to depression, diabetes, long-term health problems, and early death. Make sure she understands the benefits of losing the weight without focusing on the social aspects of body weight. Our society places too much pressure on kids to be perfect figures of stellar appearance. She is not (and should not) be encouraged to lose weight just to fit in, gain more friends, or stop being the target of jokes. She is being encouraged to lose weight to lead a healthier lifestyle and to live a longer, healthier life.
