Obesity and Weight Loss

To lose weight safely, empower yourself with self-awareness and facts.

Teens participating in the Summer Wellness Programs

In today’s hypercritical world, it seems nobody is comfortable with their weight. Teens, and young girls especially, are bombarded by images of rail-thin models who appear to represent the norm and celebrities who appear to lose weight and keep it off effortlessly.

In reality, maintaining a healthy weight is difficult. Most people don’t have the exceptionally fast metabolisms or genetics that others do. Fast food and desserts are temptations that many teens struggle to avoid. Furthermore, the majority of teens ages 10 to 19 don’t get the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

It’s possible to maintain a healthy weight and a positive body image with a commitment to healthy eating and regular exercise. If you’re serious about losing weight, you can find a health regimen that works for you. It takes time, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately.

Assessing Your Current Health

Before you begin, make sure you meet these criteria:

You truly need to lose weight. Many teens have a negative self-image and think they should lose weight when they’re actually at a healthy weight. Poor body image may lead to anorexia, bulimia or other eating disorders. If you’re unsure about whether you’d benefit from different eating and exercise habits, talk to your doctor or a trusted adult.
You’re committed to this goal. You must be willing to change your eating and exercise habits (at least slightly) for an extended period of time. Talk to your friends and family about your health goals so they can support you.

If you have any other questions, talk to your primary care physician.

Myths About Teen Weight Loss

Misconception: Teens who diet invariably fall prey to fads and have unhealthy eating habits.
Truth: The more than 100 teens that Fletcher interviewed lost a significant amount of weight without going to extremes. Their average weight loss was 58 pounds, and three-fourths of the teens lost 30 pounds or more. Many said they followed diets but chose healthy and balanced diets.

Misconception: Teens who have tried and failed at losing weight many times before don’t ever succeed.
Truth: Seven out of 10 teens lost and gained weight multiple times before finally succeeding.

Misconception: The methods used by adults to lose weight are inappropriate for teens.
Truth: Many experts steer teens away from counting fat grams and calories, keeping food records and working out, believing these things might lead to an unhealthy obsession with weight and food. However, many of the teens Fletcher interviewed used these techniques, and their attitudes about weight and food were healthy. Counting calories or fat grams isn’t recommended for teens or adults if it start to become obsessive.

Misconception: Teens are rebellious by nature, so efforts to help them will backfire.
Truth: A strong majority of the teens indicated that their families’ support was important to their success.

Misconception: Overweight teens from overweight families are unlikely to beat the odds and lose weight.
Truth: Most of the teens said at least one parent was overweight.

Misconception: Teens who have been overweight since they were very young don’t have much hope of losing weight permanently.
Truth: On average, teens reported becoming overweight at approximately 9 years of age.

10 Things Teens Wish Parents Knew About Weight Loss

If you want to lose weight, you might want to share these with your parents:

1. “Don’t tell me my weight is OK.” If your teen is overweight and wants to slim down, listen to their concerns and offer to help find some solutions. Don’t minimize the problem.

2. “Get off my back.” Don’t nag, preach, criticize or try to coerce your teen into losing weight. Talk to your teen as a friend – not as a disciplinarian.

3. “Let me be in charge.” It’s up to the teen to decide if, how and when to lose weight.

4. “Don’t be a food cop.” Comments like “you’ve had enough” and “you don’t need that bowl of ice cream” will backfire.

5. “Be there when I’m ready.” Support your teen’s choices and praise efforts. Help find affordable ways to exercise or a program your teen would like to attend. Be a role model for healthy eating and exercise.

6. “Help me out; don’t single me out.” Create a healthy home food environment for the entire family, not just the overweight teen. Provide kids with healthy, appealing food choices without depriving them. Create healthy versions of their favorite foods.

7. “Love me no matter what.” Let your teen know they are loved – regardless of weight and whether or not slimming efforts succeed.

8. “Be patient.” Understand that losing weight takes time, effort and patience.

9. “Help me be realistic.” After losing weight, your teen may not be supermodel thin, but they will be healthier and happier.

10. “Believe in me.” Send the message that you know your teen can succeed and that you’ll be there if they need you.

Are You Ready to Take That Step?

These questions can help you decide whether you’re ready to take steps to lose weight.

How would you answer the following questions (Very, Sort of, or Not Very)?

How concerned am I about my weight?
How much do I want to do something about my weight right now?
How confident am I that I can do something about my weight?
Do I think I can do something about the things that are getting in my way?
How ready am I to change my eating and exercise habits?
Is my family ready to support me in my efforts?

The more answers you choose that begin with “very,” the more likely you’re ready to turn things around.

Content from Weight Loss Confidential by Anne M. Fletcher, M.S., R.D.

Last Reviewed: August 2019