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Publication #FAR8049

 

Adolescents and Weight-loss Diets1

Stephanie Fulger and Linda Bobroff2

Figure 1. 
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Most of us have known many people who have dieted to lose weight. But were any of these dieters teens or pre-teens? According to a nationwide study, 50 to 60% of girls ages 12 to 17 have tried a weight-loss diet (Brown, 2005).

Although child obesity is on the rise and has become a concern to many, teens and their parents should know that weight gain is normal, especially during adolescence. Boys tend to gain weight before a growth spurt, and girls often gain weight before the onset of menstruation.In fact, puberty is a process that requires a certain amount of body fat (NIDDK, 2004).

Most active young people between the ages of 11 and 18 need to consume at least 2200 calories per day (Brown, 2005). Weight-loss diets that restrict calorie intake to 1200 calories per day or less can create large energy deficits in adolescents (NAASO, 2001). This lack of adequate calories and nutrients may inhibit growth and cause delayed puberty. In addition, dieting can be the precursor to more severe eating behaviors, or even eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia (Dowshen, 2005).

If a child’s weight is of concern, the family as a whole can engage in healthier eating habits and more physical activity. This is a positive approach that does not single out the child, which could lower his or her self-esteem (NIDDK, 2004). In extreme cases, it may be appropriate to place a child on a weight-loss diet. However, this approach should be discussed with a physician and a dietitian familiar with youth development and nutrient needs (HHS, 2005). 

Listening, learning and living together, it’s the science of life. “Family Album” is a co-production of University of Florida IFAS Extension, the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, and of WUFT-FM. If you’d like to learn more, please visit our website at http://familyalbumradio.org.

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http://radiosource.net/radio_stories/393.mp3

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References

Brown, J., et al. (2005). Nutrition Through the Life Cycle. California: Thomson Wadsworth.

CDC: Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2005, October). Overweight and Obesity: Home. Oct. 18, 2005 http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/.

Dowshen, S. MD (2005, August). Delayed Puberty. Oct. 18, 2005 http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/changing_body/delayed_puberty.html.

HHS: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2005). Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. Oct. 18, 2005 http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/pdf/Chapter3.pdf#search='adolescents%20and%20weightloss%20diets'.

NAASO: The North American Association for the Study of Obesity (2001). Moderate Fat, Balanced Nutrient Reduction Diets. Oct. 18, 2005 http://www.obesityresearch.org/cgi/content/full/9/suppl_1/18S.

NIDDK: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (2004, March). Helping Your Child – Tips for Parents. Oct. 18, 2005 http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/child.htm#overweight.

Footnotes

1.

This document is FAR8049, one of a series of the Family Youth and Community Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Broadcast as program 393 in January 2007. Published on EIDS August 2012. In the interest of time and/or clarity, the broadcast version of this script may have been modified. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Stephanie Fulger, student, and Linda Bobroff, associate professor, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.