Weight gain is a major problem in the U.S. among tweens. "Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 years increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008. The prevalence of obesity among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0% to 18.1%," as is stated by the Centers for Disease Control in their June 2010 article, "Childhood Obesity."
This is a real a concern for parents and doctors for many reasons, including a child's inability to function optimally, as well as the growing rate of childhood diseases linked to obesity, including diabetes. The good news is that in most cases a tween is young enough to bring weight gain under control because of a faster metabolism than compared to adults. Here are some tips to encourage weight loss in tweens.
Identifying the Sources of Weight Gain in Tweens
The first step in encouraging a tween to lose weight is to identify the source of the weight gain. The two obvious sources include too much junk food in the diet, along with too little exercise. Sometimes there are medical conditions that can cause weight gain, such as:
- a thyroid condition
- ametabolic disorder
- a genetic disorder
- chronic depression
Medications can also cause weight gain. It is a good idea to talk with a child's pediatrician to determine the cause of weight gain, so a proper plan can be put in place to aid in weight loss.
Using Proper Foods to Achieve Weight Loss
Since most of the problem with tween obesity in the U.S. stems from unhealthy eating habits, it is only fitting to say that changing food choices plays a huge role in losing weight. In addition to making better choices, it is also important to lower the amount of food (caloric intake) that a tween consumes.
A good starting point for better eating is getting to know the food pyramid. It details how much of each food group a child should have each day and lists specific foods that fit into each category. It may take time to learn the foods that a tween will like, but there are plenty of healthy foods to try. Check out the article, "How to Choose Healthy Snacks for Tweens" for some great ideas.
Be weary of letting a child start an adult weight loss program, as children have different dietary needs than men and women. Children require more calories than adults, and a lot of diet plans geared towards adults may have a tween missing out on necessary nutrients needed for proper growth.
Using Exercise to Shed Pounds
Nothing beats a good workout to lose weight. Combine 30 minutes of physical activity a day with sensible eating habits, and a tween will shed pounds pretty quickly, depending on his starting weight. It is important to remind a child not to overexert himself, as trying to lose weight too quickly can be dangerous. To further encourage a tween to exercise, a family can play together to make working out more fun.
Always check with a tween's pediatrician before starting an exercise plan.
Losing weight is not easy, especially if a child is unmotivated to do so. Encourage a tween to stick with a healthy lifestyle by staying involved in his care. Setting an example, as a parent, and taking on the challenge to eat healthier and exercise will prove to a child that it is important to make changes for the better.
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Denise Oliveri - Denise has been writing for Suite101 for many years, and enjoys sharing her experiences and knowledge with readers. Her main occupation at ...
