Cathy Dyer
RDN, NBC-HWC
Research has shown that most parents of children with overweight do not recognize their child is living with overweight. When your pediatrician tells you your teen has overweight, you may be surprised, worried, or sad.
The probability of adolescent overweight persisting into adulthood is estimated to increase from approximately 30% at 13 years old to as much as 80% by 16 - 17 years old (1). There are several health risks associated with adolescent overweight (see If your child has overweight). Likewise, adults with overweight have higher risks of developing multiple chronic diseases related to their weight. You want to help your teen prevent this from happening.
These are critical years to change your teen's path towards a healthier future.
It is important to respect your teen's independence and self-assertion in his or her weight management efforts. Your teen may have already tried a variety of diets and may be well versed in diet fads. You will need to let your teen take the lead while you provide unconditional love and all the support needed for his or her success.
Teens ready, willing, and able to begin weight management coaching will demonstrate the following:
♥ When ready, your teen will decide on her own that she wants to begin a program to address her overweight, for her own reasons.
♥ When willing, your teen will decide on his own that he will put forth the effort to learn about nutrition and make the changes needed to manage his weight, because it is what he wants to do.
♥ When able, your teen will have your support. You will be willing to make changes to your family meals, the groceries you bring into the house, the snacks that are available, and your teen's access to opportunities for physical activity.
I'm here to help you.
I'm passionate about helping teens with their weight. I've received a Certificate of Training in Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in order to specifically help children, teens, and their families with weight management.
Your coaching package will be customized to work one-on-one with your teen, providing professional guidance in weight management.
Some topics your teen (and you!) may choose to focus on:
♥ how pediatric overweight is defined and what the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends as treatment
♥ what helps teens achieve a healthy weight according to the latest research
♥ the special nutritional needs of teenage boys and girls
♥ how to self-monitor eating, weight, and physical activity to enhance weight management efforts
♥ how to identify high-calorie, low-nutrient foods and low-calorie, high-nutrient foods
♥ how to reduce or eliminate sugar-sweetened beverages from your diet
(see my blog post 5 Tips to Reduce Your Child's Added Sugar Consumption - Easily and Permanently to start)
♥ how to eat a healthy breakfast every day
♥ how to have family meals that provide structure and the sense of security that discourages overeating
(download HOW TO: FAMILY MEALS to start)
♥ how to stock your pantry and refrigerator with appropriate foods to support weight management
♥ how to plan balanced, nutritious meals you will enjoy making and eating
♥ how to develop better physical activity habits and reduce sedentary behaviors
you will be provided these and other resources while we work together
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Reference
Guo SS, Chumleaa WC. Tracking of body mass index in children in relation to overweight in adulthood. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999:70(suppl):145S-148S. https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/70/1/145S/4714908