My teen is overweight and she eats a lot. How can I help her eat less and improve her weight?
Bracha’s Bite:
It can be frightening seeing your child eat with seeming no end to their appetite. It can also be disconcerting seeing your adolescent in a body you’re not comfortable with.
However:
Body weight is determined by many things, not just food intake! Genetics, family socioeconomic status, health, sleep, stress, and more, all play a role in body weight. We can see two different people eat the same exact foods and their bodies will look completely different.
Additionally, it may not be in her best interest to lose weight. Healthy bodies come in all sizes and shapes. If she is consistently following her growth curve, your daughter’s best health may just be in a larger size than you’re comfortable with.
If you feel your daughter’s eating may be out of control, here are some tips you can help her to regulate her eating and help her reach her best health.
- Support her eating more regularly, including meals and snacks
- Provide a variety of foods that offer both high and low nutritional value
- Trust her to recognize her feelings of hunger and fullness and eat the right amount to support that
- Take a neutral approach to food and eating to avoid negative feelings to food and body and resultant overeating
- Separate body size from food eaten
- Recognize and celebrate body diversity
Body size and shape are unique and individual, and people come in all sizes and shapes! Working to get comfortable with this truth can be the best thing you can do for your adolescent. Helping your adolescent accept and embrace their current (and changing) body can result in them treating their body well- through the food they eat, the activity they do, and how they maintain a good relationship with it.
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