How do you talk to a teenage girl about her weight?

Think Outside the Scale

Your focus -- and your teen's -- should be on their overall health, not body size, Forman says. “Talk about healthful eating, and how to balance that with exercise, sleep, and mental health hygiene,” she says. “Those are all key pieces to a healthy lifestyle.”

How can I talk to my daughter about her weight?

How can I encourage my teenage daughter to lose weight?

What to say when your daughter says she's fat?

It may be tempting to respond with “No, you look great.” Or, “You're not fat.” I think it is best to respond instead with no words referencing specific size or how good she looks. Instead to say, “What do you think?” or, “I think you are beautiful inside and out.”

Should I tell my daughter she needs to lose weight?

If you want your teen to lose weight, the American Academy of Pediatrics has some advice: Don't tell them that. Doing so may raise their risk of developing unhealthy habits or even an eating disorder, the AAP states in new recommendations published online this week.

How to Talk to Your Daughter About Her Body

Why you shouldn't comment on your daughter's weight?

Studies show that commenting on your daughter's weight majorly boosts her chance of not liking her body – regardless of what she weighs. It can also puts her at a higher risk for eating disorders including binge eating disorder (which is what happened to me).

Should Parents comment on their kids weight?

Dr Rodgers says, “Parents should avoid commenting on their children's weight or appearance: that includes criticism, teasing, or even 'positive' statements. They should avoid encouraging their children to diet, or suggesting they need to lose weight.

How do I help my daughter who thinks she's fat?

Talk to your teen about how she thinks her weight and appearance influences her. Discuss whether her expectations are realistic. Remind her that not every thin or attractive person lives a happy life. Place an emphasis on inner beauty and discuss how being kind and caring is more important than physical beauty.

How can I help my daughter with body image?

What do you say when your child calls you fat?

Without any emotional response, say, “oh, you're noticing that body shape.” Staying calm helps them understand that there isn't any shame in having fat on your body. The word “fat” isn't inherently wrong. Next, explain to your child in simple words that people don't like when you comment on their body.

How do I tell my teenage daughter she needs to lose weight?

Instead of Saying This: Try something like this: You need to lose weight in order to be healthy. I am concerned about your health and would like to talk about steps we can take as a family to be healthier.

How long does it take for a teenage girl to lose weight?

In general, most teens can aim to lose 1 to 2 lb (0.45 to 0.91 kg) per week, which will quickly add up over the weeks and months. Set yourself a small goal to lose between 5 to 10 lb (2.3 to 4.5 kg) in your first month.

What are some examples of overweight teenager?

A teen who is overweight has a BMI between the 85th and 95th percentile for age and gender. They are obese if the BMI is greater than the 95th percentile for age and gender.

Why is my teenage daughter putting on weight?

It signals to the adolescent body to get ready for reproduction. A girl will gain an extra layer of fat particularly settling on thighs, breasts and hips. This can be concerning for a parent who has always seen their child as lean, but it is normal.

Should a teenager worry about their weight?

Isn't it normal to worry? It's common for teens to feel self-conscious. But constantly feeling bad about your body, worrying about your weight or feeling guilty when you eat is not normal or healthy. Sometimes this is called having a negative body image.

How do I motivate my child to lose weight?

What do you say to a teenage girl with body image issues?

What do you say to a girl with body image issues?

Explain that you are also insecure about your body, about what others think of the way you look. Explain that you have improvements to make, too, about how you talk negatively to yourself, about consciously eating well, and keeping physically active to stay healthy.

How do I talk to my daughter about her body changing?

What to say to someone who thinks they're fat?

How you might be helpful: Remind her that are many ways to feel better in our bodies without changing our body mass — for example, gentle or vigorous exercise, taking a nap, or eating a meal that makes us feel good. Stretching or drinking some cold water often helps me.

Should I worry about my daughter's weight?

A: Weight becomes a concern only if a child's body mass index (BMI) is high. Children with sturdy builds may not be at risk of health problems if their BMI is within normal range and their diet and exercise patterns are healthy. Also, some kids who are very muscular athletes may have a falsely elevated BMI.

Why you shouldn't talk about weight in front of kids?

Weight talk can lead children to develop a negative self-image. It can also lead children to develop harmful habits in an attempt to control their weight at a time when their bodies are growing and brains are developing.

What should you not say to an overweight child?

Phrases like “unhealthy weight” and “body mass index” are preferred by adolescents who are overweight, whereas terms like “obese,” “fat,” or “weight problem” induce feelings of sadness, embarrassment, and shame. Also, use people-first language whenever possible such as “child with obesity,” rather than “obese child.”

How Parents react when their child is overweight?

Parents feel that the child's weight gain is not only equated with criticism of the child but also criticism that they have failed as parents. Having an overweight child can entail a sense of shame. In order to protect their children, parents do not want to include them in dialogue with the school health services.

How do you respond to a comment about your weight?