Teen Weight Loss: Weight Loss Program Do's and Don'ts

Although your teen might be as tall as you are, or appear very grown up in many ways, it is important to remember that dieting for teens and young adults carries certain risks that do not apply to the same degree in adult dieters. Teens and young adults are still developing, and they have special nutritional and emotional needs. Extreme dieting can cause developmental harm to teens, both physically and psychologically.

Obesity is an escalating problem in the United States. Rates of teen obesity have increased dramatically in the past 30 years. According to two National Health and Nutrition Examination (NHANE) surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the rate of obesity among children (ages 2-19) has tripled in the past three decades. The two NHANE surveys, conducted from 1976-1980 and 2003-2004, indicated that the overweight rate among adolescents has climbed from 5.0% to 17.4%.

According to the CDC, being overweight or obese places teens at risk for a myriad of health problems, including type-2 diabetes, certain forms of cancer, coronary disease, high cholesterol, gall bladder problems, osteoarthritis, stroke, and sleep and respiratory problems. Overweight and obese teens frequently suffer from low self-esteem, decreased quality of life, and mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and binge-eating (a newly recognized eating disorder).

In a culture where teen obesity is becoming endemic, many teens and parents are turning to special weight loss programs for help. Parents have become more interested in teen weight loss programs such as summer programs that are sometimes referred to as "fat camp" or "weight loss camp." Other parents consider placing teens on restricted diets or enrolling them in popular adult weight loss programs.

Whatever the chosen method of addressing teen obesity, however, the teen's psychological health and physical health should always remain the primary concerns. Here are some tips for choosing a healthy and effective teen weight loss program. Look for a program that:

• not only addresses eating habits, but healthy lifestyle choices as well; emphasize long-term strategies - a fitness-oriented weight loss camp rather than a fat camp;
• complements diet changes with increased physical activity, which is an essential component of long-term, healthy weight loss;
• isn't trendy, gimmicky, or extreme - watch out for any program that completely forbids certain foods or types of foods, or ones that only allows a very small number of foods;
• utilizes fresh, low-fat, nutritionally dense, unprocessed foods that you can buy in any supermarket - don't fall into the trap of buying one company's pre-made meals;
• targets weight loss of about 5 percent or less of body weight per week - anything more is unhealthy;
• offers some form of counseling, or at least a referral to appropriate counseling - overeating is strongly linked with emotional problems, and unless these root problems are addressed, long-term weight loss cannot be sustained.