parent wants to raise healthy, happy children. For this reason, you might worry when you notice your child is gaining weight.
After all, obesity cannot only cause self-esteem problems, but it can lead to the development of various health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, and depression.
Get to the root cause by reading these four possible reasons why your teen is gaining weight.
- Poor Lifestyle Choices
Poor lifestyle choices are the most obvious cause of your child’s weight gain. If your teen’s diet consists of foods high in sugar and saturated fat, then it is natural they will gain weight over time.
Also, if they spend most of their days playing video games, watching TV, or browsing the internet, they must incorporate more physical activity into their routine.
Encourage your child to adopt a healthier lifestyle by serving healthy, balanced dishes each day, and embrace exercise as a family to get their body moving.
You may need to remove junk food from your home and improve your child’s understanding of nutrition, too.
- A Mental Health Disorder
Your teen’s weight gain could be a sign of an underlying health condition, such as a mental health disorder.
Different people will respond in different ways to depression, anxiety, or stress. While some might develop a poor appetite, others might turn to food for comfort.
Unfortunately, using food for comfort is a vicious circle, as weight gain can amplify depression, which will lead to additional weight gain.
If your child is an emotional eater, they may need to seek treatment to overcome a mental health disorder and maintain a healthier body.
For example, teenage depression treatment centers can provide your son or daughter with tailored help and support to recover from a condition.
- Puberty
Puberty might be the cause of your child’s excess weight. It is common for girls to gain up to 30lbs between 10 to 14 years old.
While this might seem like a substantial amount of weight, they will soon experience a growth spurt, and the extra pounds will distribute evenly around their developing body.
In the meantime, focus on providing your child with a healthy diet, encourage daily exercise, and limit screentime to promote more physical activity.
- An Underactive Thyroid
If your son or daughter is gaining weight and you can’t understand why, then their thyroid gland might be to blame.
Hypothyroidism, often called an underactive thyroid, occurs when the gland fails to produce enough thyroid hormones.
It can slow down a person’s metabolism, which can lead to weight gain. The issue is most common in females, and it can develop in both teens and adults.
If your teenage daughter is gaining weight without dramatic changes to her diet, book an appointment with her doctor for a blood test and treatment.
Your teen’s weight will likely fluctuate as their body is changing at a rapid rate. However, if you suspect their lifestyle choices, mental health, or an underlying condition is the cause, you must look for ways to improve their health, from changing their diet to seeking professional help.
Photo by Total Shape on Unsplash
