Teenage Dieting
Juliette Kellow discusses the link between teenage dieting and
future eating problems.
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Teenage Dieting Causes Obesity and Eating Problems
Later in Life
By WLR Dietitian
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New research published in the Journal of the American Dietetic
Association has revealed that teenagers who diet or take unhealthy
measures to control their weight are more likely to end up
overweight as adults.
The research studied more than 2,500 teenagers and found that
those who tried to control their weight were three times more
likely to be overweight five years later than those who weren’t
dieting. Furthermore, dieting teenagers were also at an increased
risk of binge eating five years on – and were also more likely to
try and control their weight by using extreme and unhealthy means
such as vomiting or taking diet pills, laxatives and diuretics.
The authors suggest that teenagers should be discouraged from
dieting and taking drastic measures to control their weight and
instead should be encouraged to eat a healthy diet and be more
physically active in the long term.
WLR says:
While the incidence of overweight and obesity during childhood
continues to grow in the UK, it’s also true that eating disorders
such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are on the increase.
This indicates how important it is to help children and teenagers
develop a healthy relationship with food from an early age.
As well as providing children and teenagers with healthy meals
and snacks, talk to them about the importance of eating a healthy
diet that’s packed with a variety of nutrients. However, bear in
mind that most teenagers aren’t worried about their future health
in the same way that we are as adults. Instead, tap into the key
areas that affect your children now and explain how eating well
will benefit them.
For example, a good diet will…
- give teenager girls glowing skin, shiny hair and strong
nails
- give teenagers white, bright teeth so they have a Hollywood
smile
- help teenagers control their weight so they stay slim and
fit
- help teenage boys develop strong, defined muscles
- give children more energy to play and teenagers more energy
to go shopping, dancing or simply hang out with their mates
- prevent tiredness so children and teenagers will be more
likely to perform better in their favourite subjects at school
- give children more energy so they perform well in their
favourite sports and maybe even make the school team.
It’s also important to remember that healthy eating guidelines
apply to children from the age of five right through to old age.
This means from the age of five onwards, children should be
encouraged to have a low-fat, high fibre diet with five daily
servings of fruit and veg.
If you are aged 18 or over you can keep a food diary and
journal to help you restore a regular, balanced eating plan.
Try it free for 24 hours. |
