Diet Early, Gain Weight Later
Kids who diet may gain more weight than kids who don't.
Recent studies suggest frequent dieting among adolescents is not only ineffective, but it also may promote weight gain. Work with your child to focus less on dieting and more on establishing healthy eating habits to control weight.
For most adolescents, diets don't seem to work. Researchers believe even casual, infrequent dieting during childhood and adolescence may lead to unhealthy restrictive eating and overeating -- or binge eating -- resulting in weight gain. Help your children avoid such extremes by teaching them to develop a more consistent, positive relationship with food. Establishing a family routine that includes smart, healthy food choices and regular physical activity will help children understand that nutrient-rich foods are necessary for growth, development, and energy to keep their bodies running. Consult your child's pediatrician or a registered dietitian if you believe your child has a weight problem.
