How to Help a Teen Lose Weight

Consult your teen's pediatrician to discuss a realistic weight-loss goal. According to Terri Murphy, registered dietitian, in an article for the Children's Physician Network, most health care practitioners say teens are still growing and should not diet. Even if your teen is overweight or obese, you should not make any drastic changes to physical activity or diet without her doctor's approval.

Change your own behavior, advises Kerri Boutelle, an adolescence and obesity expert at the University of Minnesota, in an article for WebMD. If you are overweight or engage in unhealthy habits, you're only sending the message to your teen that it's OK for her to follow suit. If you and your teen commit to following a healthy diet and exercise plan together, you'll provide each other with the motivation and encouragement you'll need to stick with it.

Talk to your teen about his weight. Let him know you are willing to help him as he navigates his way down the path to better health and an improved appearance. Say something like "I can't change your weight. That's up to you. But I can help you make the right decisions," Mayo Clinic recommends.

Clean out your cupboards and remove unhealthy foods, advises Janet Carter, a registered dietitian and heart health program manager, in an article for the Medical University of South Carolina. If junk food isn't available in your home, your teen won't be tempted to indulge in foods with little nutritional value.

Encourage your teen to exercise for at least 60 minutes a day, Mayo Clinic suggests. Choose a fun activity you might be able to enjoy together, such as walking around the neighborhood after dinner. Or, ask her if she might be interested in taking a class, like yoga or dance. If she chooses an activity she thinks she'll enjoy, she'll be more likely to stick with it.

Suggest that your teen eats only when he's hungry. Encourage him to eat healthy snacks between meals to stave off hunger. Murphy suggests snack foods like flavored rice cakes, fresh or frozen fruit or low-fat string cheese.

Advocate for a healthy diet for your entire family -- there's strength in numbers, and your teen won't feel like she's missing out if you're all eating the same types of foods. Discourage your family from drinking sugary beverages, like soda or energy drinks.

Avoid eating fast foods -- but, if you must eat out, choose the healthiest possible options, advises FamilyDoctor.org, a website of the American Academy of Family Physicians.