Overweight teens: What to do

You may be concerned if your teen seems heavier than his or her friends, but it's important to realize that for many children, being overweight is a temporary thing. Girls have a height spurt usually starting around age 10 that peaks at 12 years. For boys, it usually begins around 12 years and peaks at 14. Weight spurts come after this.

If your teen is overweight, check with your physician. If your physician assures you there is no health concern, you can support your teen in the following ways:

One, try to encourage your teen to be more active. Cutting down on the amount of time they spend in front of the television or computer can also help. Be sure the activity chosen by your teen is something fun and enjoyable so they do not see it as forced or unpleasant.

Two, try to set a good example by living healthy yourself. This includes eating nourishing, non-fattening foods for snacks and being more active.

Three, encourage healthy eating instead of dieting. Putting teens on a diet can set them up to fail, and leave them feeling even worse about themselves. Also, dieting may keep your teen from getting the vitamins and minerals they need.

And four, try not to keep harping on your teen's weight. It won't help the problem and will just make her feel worse about herself.

If the overweight condition continues, consult your physician again. You may also speak to a counsellor on this phone line.

To learn more about parenting and the development of children from birth to age 5, visit www.investinkids.ca

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