Overweight Teens

The best time for losing weight is when a youngster is over 14 or 15 years of age. This coincides with a major concern in one’s appearance. A self-motivated teenager can follow a diet and lose weight, regardless of what the family eats, but set a good example.

• First, change the foods you buy. Purchase more 2% milk, diet drinks, lean meats, and extra fruits. Your teenager, however, has to be in charge of how much she eats.

• Second, encourage exercise. The combination of exercise and diet is the most effective way to lose weight. Helpful exercise needs to occur three times a week; walking, swimming, and biking are all good choices.

• Third, encourage outside activities. Most snacking occurs between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. Help your teenager fill after school time with activities, such as music, drama, sports, or a part-time job.

• Finally, if your teenager is having difficulty getting motivated, suggest she join a weight loss club, such as Shape Down or Weight Watchers. These are often available through local hospitals.

During Dr. Schmitt’s 20 years as a medical practitioner and researcher, he has published over 100 articles or chapters on pediatric health care, and has been awarded the distinguished C. Anderson Aldrich Award by the American Academy of Pediatrics for outstanding contributions to the field of child development. Schmitt has also authored five books including Your Child’s Health, which won Child Magazine’s first Hall of Fame Award in 1991. Schmitt is also a professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and on staff at The Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado.