Obesity can be harmful to your child's mental health
Research shows significant risks, impacts Children who are obese are at increased risk for emotional problems that last well into adulthood, according to several studies and experts on the subject. Obesity and the mental disorders they contribute to should be considered as serious as other medical illnesses, they say.
A study at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey found that obese girls ages 13 to 14 are four times more likely to experience low self-esteem than non-obese girls. The study also reported that obese boys and girls with low self-esteem had higher rates of loneliness, sadness and nervousness.
These children were more likely to smoke and drink alcohol compared with obese children with normal self-esteem. Depression, often an outcome of low self-esteem, affects as many as 750,000 teens in the U.S. (Source: Pediatrics, "Childhood Obesity and Self-Esteem," January 2000.) Untreated depression can be both the cause and effect of obesity.
A recent University of Minnesota study reveals that children who were teased about being overweight were more likely to have poor body image, low self-esteem, and symptoms of depression. The study found that 26 percent of teens who were teased at school and home reported they had considered suicide, and 9 percent had attempted it. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents. (Source: Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, "Associations of Weight-Based Teasing and Emotional Well-being Among Adolescents," August 2003)
Obese children between the ages of 10 and 13 have an 80 percent
Mealtime = Family Time
Here are some easy tips and guidelines to help you turn mealtime into fun family time.
• Pick one meal a day that works for the whole family.
• If your schedules don’t allow you to eat as a family every day, then pick one day a week to start. That’s ok.
• Gradually add another day until you are having one meal a day as a family.
• Set a time for family meals. This makes it easier for everyone to plan their schedules.
• Eat together at the table. It’s easier to talk to each other when you are face to face.
• During mealtime, focus on each other by turning off the TV, cell phones and even iPods.
• Keep mealtime a fun time for the family to catch up and share their day.
• Parents and older siblings can be a great role model for good eating habits.
• Keep it fun. Kids can make name cards for their seats.
• Keep meals from lasting too long. If your child gets fussy, let them be excused and take their plate to the sink.
• Introduce one new food item at least 3 times a week.
• With set meal times and a fun family experience, kids will look forward to eating together as a family while learning about healthy eating.
Teens
The demands on you change throughout your life. Eating well, exercising, and other healthful habits can help keep you going at every stage. Teens and energy Teenage boys and girls are busy with school, friends, sports, and clubs. Plus, they're still growing and developing at a rapid pace.
Nutrition 
Teens spend more and more time with their friends and make food choices away from home. Peer pressure, busy schedules, bigger appetites, and seeking independence will influence their food choices. Demonstrate healthful habits and offer nutritious foods to your teen. Keep your fridge stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables. Buying pre-cut veggies or even filling containers from the grocery store salad bar can save you time, too. Encourage low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese to ensure your teen is getting enough calcium for bone growth and development. If your teen avoids dairy products there are alternate ways to fit in calcium.
Talk to your teen about healthful eating. Teens get messages about food from friends, coaches, the media, and food advertisements. Talk to them about the information they're hearing to make sure it's accurate.
Exercise and lifestyle
Make sure your teenage kids are sleeping enough. Teens tend to need a lot of sleep — even more than 9 hours a night. There are a variety of exercise options for teens. School and club sports take center stage for some teens, while others enjoy activities like yoga, Pilates, and martial arts classes. Even a school dance can count as exercise. Support and encourage your teens to be physically active. Active teens are more likely to be active adults. Between school, sports, friends, after-school jobs, and other activities, teenagers can get overwhelmed. Make sure your teen has some unstructured time, too. Regular family meals, a family "game night," or even a stroll around the neighborhood can help your kids de-stress. Help your teen prioritize by routinely reviewing his or her schedule.
Young people often need help seeing the big picture and looking ahead. Be a good example. If you take time out for yourself and relax, your child is more likely to see the value of relaxing. Consider having your teen help make dinner one or two nights a week. If they show an interest, let them try making the family meal on their own.
