Healthy Weight Loss - Teens Need Guidance

Posted 18 February 2009

When it comes to healthy weight loss, teenagers are particularly vulnerable to fads and extreme dieting - now pupils are being taught how to avoid faddy diets.

Healthy weight loss is not rocket science. And yet, it seems we're all easily influenced and persuaded by the fad diet - the promise of a quick fix. But as research shows time and time again, fad diets only lead to further weight problems. Fad diets can interfere with how the body regulates itself - from its insulin levels, to its fat deposits and metabolism. Although you may lose stones in weeks by eating nothing but cabbage, you could end up severely under-nourished, ill, and unless you're willing to commit to a lifetime of cabbage, will in all likelihood pile the pounds on once the diet is over. Healthy weight loss is about eating sensibly and healthily, helping you feel good inside and out. Healthy weight loss is about energising yourself, and equipping you to maintain a healthy weight not just for a month of two, but for years and years.

Healthy Weight Loss - Teens at Risk

Teenagers are considered particularly vulnerable to fad diets. Home economics has disappeared from the school curriculum in many schools. Junk food and convenience food mean many have had no need, or incentive, to learn to cook, making them more vulnerable to becoming overweight - and to fad diets. Healthy weight loss is now being promoted across schools in order to teach children the importance of avoiding a fad or crash diet. Regular exercise and healthy weight loss is being pushed instead. With the increased pressure on girls and boys to be thin thanks to celebrity culture, there has been a growing concern about the rise of eating disorders. Teaching children healthy weight loss is crucial. Extreme slimming regimes that have no or little chance of long term success, also makes them vulnerable to becoming anaemic, or developing osteoporosis.

Fad Diets versus Healthy Weight Loss

Dietitianshave worked on the new home economics GCSE to try and teach teens the importance of healthy weight loss. Worrying research shows how some girls go without food for a day to try and lose weight, and some become dependent on excessive exercise. A balanced lifestyle means there is no need for such extreme and potentially self destructive behaviour - healthy weight loss is simply about changing eating and exercise habits. If teenagers need to lose weight or are obese, a healthy weight loss programme is advocated, helping them to change their lifestyles in the long run. By understanding healthy foods, they will have the foundations to build on and protect their health throughout their lives, without the need to resort to crash diets. Many are unaware of the harm they are doing to their health and bodies by doing fad or extreme diets, which is why dietitians are so eager to bring healthy weight loss and healthy eating advice into the classroom.

Healthy Weight Loss Advice and Help from Fitbug

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