A balanced diet is essential for teenagers to continue to grow. Frequent dieting always results in suppression of growth and at times weight gain also. Diets, which are meant for adults, do not suit adolescents.Overweight in teenagers is caused by lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns or a combination of both. Genetics and lifestyle also play an important role. Teens need about 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Inactivity is more common among females than males. Teenagers are eating more and more junk food and therefore do not get enough of nutrients necessary for the body.
Overweight teens bear the brunt of teasing, social isolation, verbal abuse and emotional torture, which ultimately result in a negative self-image and an inferiority complex.
Vegetarian diets are always recommended for mid or late teenagers. Doing regular exercise and eating healthy food is the most effective way of reducing weight. Interestingly most of the teenagers want “instant solutions”. This invariably results in gain in weight and bad health. The best way to reduce weight is to take the advice of parents and doctors. A dietician gives a healthy plan which is calorie controlled. He may also advise on the exercise level.
Source : www.articlecircle.com/health/dietary-patterns-for-teen-weight-loss.html
