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continued:

Teen weight loss: Healthy habits count

Encourage smart snacking

It can be tough to make healthy choices when vending machines and fast food abound, but it's possible. Encourage your teen to replace even one bag of chips or order of fries a day with a healthier grab-and-go option from home:

  • Frozen grapes
  • Oranges, strawberries or other fresh fruit
  • Sliced red, orange or yellow peppers
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Baby carrots
  • Low-fat yogurt or pudding
  • Pretzels
  • Graham crackers
  • String cheese

Watch portion sizes

When it comes to portions, size matters. Encourage your teen to scale back, eat slowly, and stop eating when he or she is full — both at home and away from home. It might take just one slice of pizza or half the pasta on the plate to feel full. An occasional indulgence is OK, but even then there's no shame in sharing a meal, ordering a smaller portion or skipping dessert.

Count liquid calories

The calories in soda, fruit juice, sports drinks and specialty coffees can add up quickly. Drinking water instead of soda and other sugary drinks might spare your teen hundreds of calories a day — or even more. For variety, suggest calorie-free flavored water or seltzer water.

Make it a family affair

Rather than singling out your teen, adopt healthier habits as a family. After all, eating healthier foods and getting more exercise is good for everyone — and research suggests that family involvement has a significant effect on childhood weight management.

For example:

  • Stock up on fruits, veggies and whole grains. Keep these foods in plain sight, and be sure to set a good example yourself.
  • Leave junk food at the grocery store. Healthy foods sometimes cost more, but it's an important investment.
  • Keep food in the kitchen. Eat at the kitchen counter or table — not on the couch while watching TV or playing computer or video games.
  • Limit screen time. Trade screen time for family activities, such as playing catch or hiking.
  • Don't focus on food. Make physical activity a topic of family conversations, rather than what or how much anyone is eating.

Be positive

Being overweight doesn't inevitably lead to a lifetime of low self-esteem. Still, your acceptance is critical. Listen to your teen's concerns. Comment on his or her efforts, skills and accomplishments. Make it clear that your love is unconditional — not dependent on weight loss.

If your teen is struggling with low self-esteem or isn't able to cope with his or her weight in a healthy manner, consider a support group, formal weight-control program or professional counseling. Additional support can give your teen the tools to counter social pressure, cultivate more positive self-esteem, and take control of his or her weight. The benefits will last a lifetime.

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References
  1. Mond J, et al. Obesity, body dissatisfaction, and emotional well-being in early and late adolescence: Findings from the project EAT study. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2011;48:373.
  2. Seal N, et al. Evidence-based interventions for pediatric weight control. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners. 2011;7:293.
  3. Collins CE, et al. Parent diet modification, child activity, or both in obese children: An RCT. Pediatrics. 2011;127:619.
  4. Luttikhuis H, et al. Interventions for treating obesity in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2009:CD001872. http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews. Accessed Sept. 2, 2011.
  5. Van Mater HA, et al. Obesity and metabolic syndrome. In: McInerny TK, et al. American Academy of Pediatrics Textbook of Pediatric Care. Elk Grove Village, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2009:2320.
  6. Helping your overweight child. Weight-control Information Network. http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/over_child.htm. Accessed Sept. 2, 2011.
  7. 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/guidelines/default.aspx. Accessed Sept. 2, 2011.
WT00012 Dec. 3, 2011

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