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When parents ask me, “What should I do about my son? He’s 15 and terribly overweight?”
I respond, “He’ll lose weight when he wants to lose weight” which was always met with resistance.
Parents typically feel that they need to do SOMETHING, ANYTHING, and EVERYTHING even when their kids don’t ask for help. We need to stop this.
Research tells us that when teenagers lose weight they do it for their health, primarily and that it was their own decision to make the change. Losing weight requires self-discipline, motivation, and knowledge and they can do this all on their own.
Although they can benefit from the support and cooperation of their family, it was “all them”, so to speak.
Once your children become teenagers, they have the capacity to understand the dangers of obesity and nagging them won’t bring about change. Don’t let your anxiety slop over onto them.
Claudia
Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch.
At DrClaudia.net, click on the "Ask Me" button and send me a question.
Sign up for the Sunday newsletter. Don't miss a thing!
I respond, “He’ll lose weight when he wants to lose weight” which was always met with resistance.
Parents typically feel that they need to do SOMETHING, ANYTHING, and EVERYTHING even when their kids don’t ask for help. We need to stop this.
Research tells us that when teenagers lose weight they do it for their health, primarily and that it was their own decision to make the change. Losing weight requires self-discipline, motivation, and knowledge and they can do this all on their own.
Although they can benefit from the support and cooperation of their family, it was “all them”, so to speak.
Once your children become teenagers, they have the capacity to understand the dangers of obesity and nagging them won’t bring about change. Don’t let your anxiety slop over onto them.
Claudia
Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch.
At DrClaudia.net, click on the "Ask Me" button and send me a question.
Sign up for the Sunday newsletter. Don't miss a thing!
