What are good weight loss tips for an obese 16 year old girl?

March 31st, 2009 by admin

She is eating healthy but nothing has happened for years. What other tips can you give?

Popularity: 11% [?]

One Response

Sara B

March 31st, 2009 at 5:02 pm

Hey Sakika,

Exercise and healthy eating are very important, but unfortunately, she may have trouble losing weight because of her age. During the teenage years, the body is undergoing lots of changes, including changes in hormone levels, circadian rhythms and more - all of which can make losing weight more difficult. She may find she naturally slims out in a few years as her body settles down.

However, there are a few other things to check on. Talk to her to see if she's sneaking unhealthy food at school - I've worked with students before who will toss their healthy, homemade lunches and trade with friends for goodies, or borrow money for vending machines or cafeteria snacks.

Also, although 16 is a bit young to be thinking about bariatric surgery options, her doctor may recommend a medically-supervised diet program depending on how severe her health parameters are. Many obese children are at risk of fatty liver disease or heart disease - things typically seen in much older adults. If she is at risk for some of these health conditions, her doctor may want to take more drastic action.

It's great that you're being proactive about this - keep up the good work!