Teenagers face the major challenge of deciding who they are, how they fit into the world, and what they want to do with their lives. Imagine being surrounded by images of slim athletic peers who seem so at ease with themselves, so cool. Teens in the media exude that kind of cool, along with their svelte bodies and six-pack abs. The mirror stares back at overweight teens and keeps shouting to them about how they don’t fit the cool image. They often find it hard to find acceptance among their peers, especially true acceptance without the jokes and snide remarks. Between the mirror and the social isolation, it becomes very difficult to find self-acceptance, self-nurturance, and a peaceful feeling about the identity challenge of the teenage years. As a result, overweight teens may experience anxiety or “act out.”

Losing weight will not solve the quest for identity, self-worth, and a viable exciting plan for the future. However, losing weight will dramatically improve moods and feelings about one’s body and self. Science has documented this very robust effect, especially if the weight loss is accomplished via a well-designed program, including a strong clinical component. These incredibly important changes provide a solid foundation from which the usual challenges of young adulthood can be tackled with gusto.

In addition, eating healthfully, just by itself, can improve physical well-being and decrease tiredness and irritability. Can you recall how you felt after eating a very heavy (high-fat) meal? That uncomfortable and groggy feeling is experienced more by overweight teens than non-overweight teens. Losing weight requires eating lower fat foods than average-weight teenagers consume, and doing so consistently. It also requires far more activity than overweight teenagers typically get. That increase in activity per se can improve mood, quality of sleep, and provide a new and important coping device. Many runners and walkers, for example, report working out some problems as they move. Your son or daughter will find that benefit from effective weight control, in addition to the many other more obvious ones, like fitting in to life a lot better.