Protecting Your Teen’s Body Image
I think it’s safe to say that we would do anything for our kids. Protecting them is a parents’ number one priority. What many don’t think about is the damage done in the home that can lead their child to become overweight, obese, or having an eating disorder when they are a teenager. New guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics might help further protect your teen’s body image.
Teen’s Body Image Issues
Poor body image starts during the teenage years when they start to fully understand and learn about their body. This is obviously much different than a child who is five and don’t know any different about weight and appearance, let alone the effects on the body it creates both physically and mentally. In teens, this can lead to overeating due to emotional stress or on the flip-side not eating at all in order to lose weight. It’s difficult for a doctor to see the signs of eating disorders or negative body image if they don’t consistently see the patient. Ultimately, once a doctor starts to see the warning signs of an underlying issue, it’s generally too late. While not too late in the sense of to the point of no return, it’s now a matter of getting the teen back on track and fixing any physical or mental issues going on with the individual.
Research has shown that teens who diet in the 9th grade are more likely to be overweight by the time they are in 12th grade. They also mentioned that if teens are counting calories, they risk not taking in enough calories to maintain the hormone levels needed for growth and maturity. Counting calories can also lead a teen down the road of anorexia.
Related Article: Bigorexia and Muscle Dysmorphia in Teens is GROWING
The American Academy of Pediatrics has five research-backed strategies to help parents prevent their teens from obesity, weight problems, and even eating disorders. Through the use of these strategies, the chances of keeping your child safe and healthy are improved.
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