FITNESS: Get teens interested in health

Bringing up weight issues is never an easy subject especially when it is with a teenager.

Teenagers face the same eating decisions each day that adults do but must also deal with peer pressure and body issues as well. Let's look at some ways to approach your teen with nutrition suggestions.

The first step that must be made before you can deal with your teen's weight issue is your own. So many parents nag their child out of love about proper eating and exercise but do not lead by example.

If your teen is not ready to address his or her own weight issue, start by looking at your own. Make exercise a regular part of your life so your child sees you practice what you preach.

Few families sit around the dinner table together in the evening. Most parents are probably not present for more than one of their teen's meals. This makes monitoring your child's eating very tough.

Start by enforcing a healthy breakfast for you and your family. Skipping breakfast is a sure-fire way to slow down the metabolism and create mid-morning cravings. Even if you must hand out breakfast bars with a bottle of juice or milk, this is still better than going without.

Many teens skip lunch because they dislike what the cafeteria is serving or do not like the meal that mom or dad has prepared. However, the biggest reason kids, especially girls, skip lunch is that they do not want to eat in front of their friends.

Skipping lunch leads to pigging out after school on the most convenient of foods and not being hungry for dinner. All of these bad habits set a pattern for future eating. It is very hard to change these habits once they are ingrained.

Approach your teen gently when it comes to weight. Show them that you are open to talking with them about this issue and will do what it takes to help.

Again, talk to your child with regard to their health rather than appearance. If you show that you are concerned about their physical well-being you might have a better chance of opening up the communication lines.

If this is not possible, enlist outside help to talk to your teen. Someone that your teen respects or looks up to might be able to have a more frank discussion than a parent would.

Emotional eating is an issue for both teens and adults. Stress, boredom, anxiety and loneliness are just a few of the emotions that might trigger overeating.

Look at ways to identify and deal with these feelings without turning to food. A positive body image is tough to foster when going through the teen years but it can be done. As a parent, exploit your teen's talents. Keep them in activities they enjoy and focus on the inside. If a teen believes he or she is a good person they will be more willing to treat their bodies with respect.

Being a parent of an overweight child is a situation that is becoming more common. You can stop negative habits before they foster into serious issues. Educate yourself on nutrition, portion sizes and how to read food labels. Lead by example and offer your teen all of the opportunities needed to stay healthy and fit.

Kim Springer and her husband, Mike, are certified personal trainers and owners of Springer Training. They can be reached at 233-9442 or at their Web site www.springertraining.com.


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