Weight loss among teenagers after COVID-19 lockdown; can the parents help?

Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

Contact us to learn how to start weight loss in teenagers after the COVID-19 lockdown. Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

How to start weight loss in teenagers after COVID-19 lockdown

For the past nearly two years, everyone's general health has been negatively impacted due to COVID-19 lockdowns around the world. COVID-19 has negatively impacted sleep patterns, diet, and physical activity, especially among teenagers and children. I recently attended an online meeting where I met a lot of worried mothers who wanted to know about it Weight loss in teenagers. They asked me to plan meals for their teenagers so they could lose the extra weight that was gained during the lockdowns.

It is common worldwide for children to have an extra meal a day during the closing times. Not only did they sleep half an hour longer every day. Additionally, it's common around the world for kids to add nearly five hours of screen time a day. On the other hand, the children's physical activity decreased by more than two hours a week. It is common knowledge that both kids and teenagers put on weight during the summer vacation and this time the vacation seems like an endless affair.

What is research saying about teenage weight gain during lockdown?

There has been a variety of research done at different levels on children and adolescents with obesity problems. In 2019, lifestyle information was collected from children in terms of diet, activity level and sleep patterns. The questions asked in these studies focused on eating habits, sleep time, physical activity, screen time, and consumption of junk food, snacks, fruits, and vegetables. The results concluded that there were negative changes in the overall behavior of the children. Unfortunately, it has also been confirmed that the excess weight gained during lockdown may not be easily reversible and could contribute to obesity in adulthood if healthier behaviors are not followed.

What is a healthy weight and how do you achieve it?

Personally, I believe from my experience that health is really about having the right weight for you. The best way to find out whether or not you are a healthy weight is to check online or speak to a doctor or nutritionist. But whatever you believe, promoting healthy norms and setting realistic goals is important Weight loss in teenagers.

Parents need to understand that weight management is about long-term success, not short-term success. It is a known fact that people who lose weight quickly through crash dieting or other extreme measures usually gain most of the weight back from not making an effort to change their habits.

Tips for Long Term Success in Teen Weight Loss

The best weight management programs are the ones that can help you last a lifetime.

• I have observed that while teenagers like to rebel against anything their parents tell them, when eating and exercise become a family affair or some type of rule that must be followed by everyone, it can help them discipline their lives. So you have to be the mother or father who can help and support the children.
• The goal must be to make dietary or lifestyle changes that will benefit the whole family.
• Control your drinks like the high calorie ones. Soda, juices, and other such drinks that you sometimes offer your kids as energy boosters actually backfire. Eliminating a can of lemonade or energy drink saves more than 150 calories. The best drink can be water or fresh juice with no added sugar.
• Choosing low-fat or low-fat milk is also a good idea if you are planning long-term weight management.
• Mothers need to stop the urge to overfeed the children. You need to teach children to stop eating when they are full.
• Keep your children away from stress. Yes that's right. If you think your child is carefree, please think again because staying in the house with no friends during lockdown has already messed their mental health. Your stress over weight gain will mess up your relationship with your children.
• We can better control our hunger when we have a meal plan. It is a good idea to get the help of a nutritionist to do this.
• It is important to exercise after eating. Your child will need to stretch and twist in the breaks between online classes. Get as far away from your butt as you can. Find different ways to incorporate activities into your daily routine. Instead of getting up before lying down after lunch, take a jog or walk up and down the stairs a few times. Your goal should be to exercise up to 60 minutes a day.
• If you are looking for a meal planner to help you and your teenage child manage weight, contact us.