Teens and Weight

Recently I began doing some research into the problems facing teens and guess what is at the top of the list? WEIGHT ISSUES. It’s not a shock that teens are facing the same reality as we are as adults. In 2006, 18% of 12-19 year olds were considered overweight or obese. What is more staggering is that overweight adolescents have a 70% likelihood of being overweight adults. This is contributing to the staging statistic that 67% of adults are overweight. Our children and adolescents are leaning in the home what they will take into the “real world”. Their relationship with food and how they feel about themselves are going to drastically affect how they will interact with the world.

Only 2% of women view themselves as beautiful. 50-70% of NORMAL weight girls see themselves as OVERweight. The media makes sure this will continue. 50% of ad time on children’s shows is devoted to food and 72% of that is for candy, snacks, sugary cereals or fast food. Then throw in the unrealistic perception of beauty in magazines, TV and movies. THIS IS AFFECTING OUR CHILDREN. 40% of 8 and 9 years old have tried to diet to lose weight. At the age of 8 and 9 children they ALREADY have a perception of what they “should” be and what they “are” compared to that.

My heart broke when a teen stood up at a recent presentation and told me her 16 year old friend is doing the Hcg diet. (Hcg is hormone produced early in pregnancy that is injected or given orally. It is allows your body to survive on a 500 calorie diet.) WHAT ARE WE DOING???

I don’t know about you, but the teen years for me were the toughest time of my life. I was so unhappy and so unsure of who I was. Looking back and knowing what I know now…I WISH I would have allowed food to heal and fuel me instead adding to the raging teen hormones.

As I went from my teens into adulthood, I was still doing the SAME things to be “thin”, “accepted” and “pretty” and so will teens today. They are starving, counting calories, trying fad diets, exercise excessively, throwing up, etc. The RESULTS are STILL the going to be the same. The weight will be “lost” (if they stick with it) and then it is “found” (because these are not ways to live). There will be side effect such as depression, mood swings, lack of energy, lack of focus, sleeping issues and headaches that will be prescribed medication to, but the thing that can’t be fixed by a pill is a depleted low self-esteem and self loathing.

So many things that are teens are consuming in their daily food choices are linked to the very issues that plague them. Artificial sweeteners are linked to fatigue, headaches, sleeping issues and mood disorders. Artificial colors are linked to learning disabilities such as ADD and ADHD. Highly processed foods filled with calories, but devoid of nutrition are linked to weight gain, mood swings, energy surges and losses and uncontrollable cravings.

We are choosing, as adult, to use our hard earned money to bring into our home foods that ARE linked to how we feel and your children physically, emotionally and mentally! How many of you are struggling with a teen that you feel you don’t even know how to talk to anymore. You don’t know if they are going to laugh or bite your head off if you try to have a simple conversation with them. This is no way to live and there are things you can do to be proactive through these tough years.

The bottom line is that complaining or giving your teen grief for picking the bag of potato chips or donuts to sit in front of the TV with is NOT the answer. The answer is committing as a family to live a lifestyle that promotes the health of EVERYONE in the house! It’s about creating a safe environment at home around food so that you can protect your self-esteem as well as your teens.

What this does NOT mean is NEVER indulging in your favorite foods. A lifestyle is something you CAN do forever. It’s about moderation. It’s about knowing how to throw food together that is nutritious and tastes great. If you don’t know how or don’t think it’s possible, check out The Healthy Edge! Take the FREE 14 day trial to get insight into what the possibilities are for you and your family! Get access to over 150 recipes and to a life changing audio and video to watch together as a family! We are proud to share our lifestyle with you and show you the abundant life!