 The key to success is adopting healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Start with an intimate conversation. You should offer support, gentle understanding and a willingness to help your teen take control of the problem. You might say: “I can’t change your weight. That’s up to you. But I will help you make the right decisions.”
Dispute unrealistic images
Weight and body image can be delicate issues, especially for teenage girls. Remind your daughter that there's no single standard and no perfect body. The correct weight for one person might not be the correct weight for another.
Instead of conversations about “fat” and “thin”, you should hearten on your teen to concentrate on practicing the behaviors that contribute to a healthy weight. Ask your family physician to help you to set realistic goals for body mass index and weight based on your teen's age, height and general health.
Avoid quick fixes
Help your teen realize that losing weight is a lifetime engagement. Poor diets may deprive your growing teen of calcium, iron and other essential nutrients. You have to know that weight-loss pills and other quick fixes don't solve the root of the problem. As a rule the effects are often short term. Explain your teen that without a permanent change in his or her habits, any lost weight is likely to return.
Encourage activity
Teens as adults need about 60 minutes of physical activity per day. By the way team sports through school or community programs are nice ways to get active. In case if your teen isn't an athlete or is hesitant to participate in certain sports, you might encourage him or her to walk, bike or in-line skate to school, or to walk a few laps through the halls before class.
Have a breakfast
Breakfast is very important for your teen’s metabolism. Breakfast gives him or her energy to face the day ahead. Besides, it may keep your teen from eating too much during the day.
Snack wisely
Embolden your teen to replace even one bag of chips a day with a healthier grab-and-go option from home:
- oranges, apples or other fresh fruit
- frozen grapes
- sliced red or yellow pepper
- low-fat yogurt
- pudding
- pretzel
- graham crackers
See to portion sizes
Teach your teen to scale back and stop eating when he or she is full. Teen have to understand that it’s better to share a meal, order a smaller portion or take home leftovers.
| 
