Teenagers today think if they are thin, they can be happy, beautiful and completely in control of their own life. Happiness, beauty and success are not restricted to size zero figures only. Teenagers get carried away by media, magazines, internet and television. Added to the pressure of becoming thin, they hear and read about different fitness fads and diets which promise instant weight loss. Going on a diet is usually associated with reduced intake of food. It depends on a teenager on how he/she chooses the kind of diet.
A good choice of diet involves nutritious food like eating fruits, vegetables, fibre and cutting down on the intake of snack or junk food. Bad choice of diet plan involves skipping of meals, eating very less quantity of food and not trying different varieties of food. Dieting does not work all the time for teenagers. Instead it causes them to gain extra pounds. Teenagers are only concerned about their looks instead of their health.
Teen Dieting Facts:
- It is shocking to know that 1 in every 2 girls and 1 in every 4 teenage boys try dieting to get into shape.
- Girls who actually have a healthy weight try to diet and more than 1 in 3 girls i.e. approximately about 33% try this.
- Teenagers who do not feel good or confident about themselves are more prone to try out different diet plans without proper guidance.
- They try out diet plans when they are not happy about their weight.
- They start feeling that they are overweight even if they are not.
- Teenagers who are not confident about themselves have low self-esteem.
- They prefer to be less connected with family and friends and they even feel that they have no control over their lives.
Bad Effects of Dieting:
- Dieting is not a good solution to have a healthy body weight. It only helps in gaining weight over a longer period of time.
- It makes you think about food all the time and makes you feel hungry every now and then.
- You always find yourself distracted, tired, sad, unmotivated and it even makes you feel dizzy.
- Skipping of meals, usage of weight loss pills, going on crash diets can be very dangerous to the health.
- Teenagers need to take the right kind of food because they require nutrients for growth and health.
Tips for Healthy Diet:
- Eat wide variety of foods in proper quantities every day. Make sure that you include nutritious food in your diet.
- Teenagers should make it a point that they do not skip their breakfast everyday.
- Drink plenty of water instead of soft drinks, because water helps in draining out the toxins from the body.
- Include food which is rich in cereal fibre like bran, rye and wheat that includes cereal or cereal bars.
- Do not binge on food when you are upset, sad or bored.
- Make sure you include physical activities in your routine and keep yourself active and happy.
