How to Help a Teenage Girl Watch Her Weight
You think your teenage daughter is beautiful exactly the way she is but she is stressed and embarrassed by her weight. Helping her lose a few pounds may help increase her confidence and self-esteem but parents must be careful not to offend or insult their teen. This touchy subject poses a dilemma for parents, who don't always know exactly what to say and how concerned they should be, says Dr. Diane Neumark-Sztainer, an associate professor in the division of epidemiology at the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health in Minneapolis. But there are ways you can gently and positively help your teenage girl keep her weight on track.
Instructions
Set an example as a parent. Exercise regularly, eat the right foods and stay away from alcohol, sweets and fast food. Make a point of eating salads, vegetables and fruits even when eating in restaurants and limit your intake of breads and desserts. Watch your words -- an obsession with your own weight can have a direct influence on your children. Avoid fad diets and diet pills as both are just temporary measures -- changing your own habits, lifestyle and attitude toward weight and self-image is the key to influencing your teen daughter. Choose healthy food items for the entire family. Bringing home chips, sodas and ice cream from the grocery store only sets your teenager up for failure. Fill your refrigerator up with a variety of fruits, vegetables and lean meats. Make healthy snacks available -- air-popped popcorn, nuts, fruit and whole grains can make a huge difference in your teen's weight. A simple move such as eliminating all sodas, whole milk and full-strength juices from a teen's diet and replacing them with water and other calorie-free beverages can be an effective first step. Organize family exercise activities and sessions, especially if you have more children. More than one third of all children were obese or overweight in 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Set specific times for the entire crew to run at a local track or park. When children accompany you to the store or mall, make a point to park way in the back of the lot so everyone has no choice but to hike it to their shopping destinations. Make a game of taking the stairs instead of an escalator or elevator everywhere you go. Encourage your daughter to walk or ride her bike to school if it is safe and the distance is not too far. Supply her with the right tools for a healthy lifestyle. Purchase jump ropes, large plastic hoops, bar bells, exercise mats and yoga videos. Anything that will entice her to work out at home on her own will help her maintain or lose weight. If a gym membership is in the budget for your daughter, it can be a healthy investment if she effectively utilizes the personal trainers, state-of-the-art equipment and other resources that this type of venue provides.
