She recommends that children who are concerned about their weight see their physician before considering dietary changes. Unfortunately, normal weight adolescent girls can develop unrealistic ideas of how their bodies should look, which can lead to dissatisfaction. Even if your daughter is overweight, weight loss diets are generally not for growing children unless they are carefully supervised by a health care professional. Unsupervised dieting can jeopardize a child's intake of calories, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients needed for proper development. Regular exercise not only helps burn calories, but can also improve your daughter's sense of well being.
Parents can also help teens by being good role models.
Children are more likely to eat right and exercise regularly if their parents do, too. Copyright 1999 Baylor College of Medicine. All Rights Reserved.