| Unless we have been living with our heads in the | | | | herself is most important. |
| sand, it is becoming more and more difficult to ignore | | | | The teenage years can be brutal with the teasing |
| the talk of the teenage obesity epidemic that is | | | | that seems to be constant throughout this period. It |
| purportedly taking over our communities. Even | | | | is my contention that some kids feel that by poking |
| though it is quite possible your family has not been | | | | fun at others, they can make themselves feel better |
| affected, you may have friends or relatives who | | | | about themselves. |
| have been afflicted. Sounds scary, huh? | | | | Unfortunately, some teens tend to take this teasing |
| Beyond all the scare tactics we hear in the news | | | | personally and may begin to use food as an escape. |
| today, for some families, teenage obesity is | | | | By being ever vigilant in finding ways to praise your |
| becoming quite a challenge. In some instances, | | | | teen and to strengthen his feelings of self worth, |
| genetics plays a large part in how our bodies develop | | | | you will be building him up psychologically and |
| throughout our teenage years. But in other instances, | | | | preparing him to face the onslaught of pressure |
| it is the habits we are allowed to develop that | | | | coming at him from the other side. |
| determine what we see when we look in the mirror | | | | In other words, constantly be searching for reasons |
| or walk past that reflective pane glass in the mall. | | | | to tell him he is great. |
| Body image as a teenager plays a major role in the | | | | Now please don't feel that building your teen up |
| psychological development of that child well beyond | | | | psychologically will solve all the problems related to |
| the teenage years. Not only is the psychological | | | | weight and self image. You also need to provide |
| development of your teenager inextricably tied to | | | | healthy foods for her to snack on when she breaks |
| body image, but the long term health of your child is | | | | up with her boyfriend - cookies and coke will not do. |
| as well. | | | | It is your responsibility to provide your teens with |
| Obesity in children and teenagers has far reaching | | | | healthy alternatives to processed and fast foods. |
| health implications that we are today just beginning | | | | Fruits and vegetables should abound. |
| to unravel. Diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, heart | | | | It may take a few weeks before your teen takes to |
| disease, certain cancers, and so on are lying in wait | | | | eating carrot sticks instead of cake, but if you set |
| for the teenager who allows her weight to spiral out | | | | the example, your teen will in most cases follow your |
| of control. | | | | lead. |
| We may be wondering what we can do as parents | | | | Remember, once your children reach their teen |
| to communicate to our teens the importance of | | | | years, your time to influence them is growing short. |
| maintaining a healthy weight. It is my opinion that | | | | Make these the best years of all of your lives. |
| helping your teen to develop a healthy image of | | | | |