There isn't any one cause of teen weight problems, but you can control some things.
Sometimes it doesn't seem fair. Why can some teens eat whatever they want and not get fat?
There are things that might cause a weight problem for you and not other teens -- like food, genes, and your family.
The good news is that some things are within your control. Here's a look at what you can do to improve your health and start losing weight.
Teenage Weight Problems: A Complex Issue
The good news: You and your parents don't get all the blame when you gain weight.
The bad news: You can't blame just one cause for excess weight or obesity.
Your Body and Your Weight
Recent studies say your genes have a connection with how quickly you feel full, how your body processes food, and the size of your fat cells. So yes, maybe you really do gain weight easier than the skinny girl who eats anything and everything.
And once you gain weight, losing it is extra-tough.
"Fat cells are good at stocking up," says Daniel Kirschenbaum, PhD, clinical director of Wellspring. When you start losing weight, fat cells go into hoarding mode. This makes losing weight hard, but not impossible.
Losing weight and keeping it off takes a lifetime commitment. Kirschenbaum compares weight loss to athletic training. "Imagine a swimmer who gets up to train before dawn. Effective weight loss takes the same kind of focus and discipline," he says. You need to practice, focus, notice results, increase efforts, and keep at it -- often going above and beyond what the average person does. But in the end, your results are better than the average person's as well, and you'll probably feel pretty good about your efforts.
The Weight of Food
Let's face it: Food is more than just food. Eating triggers the pleasure center in the brain. So many people, both overweight and normal weight people, eat to feel good. Unfortunately, the eating sometimes gets out of control. Then, when you overeat, it doesn't feel good at all. You might start beating yourself up for eating something you didn't want to -- or at least not that much -- almost before you swallow.
David Kessler, MD, the former commissioner of the FDA, tested his willpower against food --
To tackle a weight problem, you don't have to give up on the idea of food making you happy, but you likely will need to change what and how you eat.
"Eat like a hummingbird," advises Charlene Huang, MD, By this, she means eat small amounts of healthy foods every two or three hours. And never skip meals, she adds. The goal is to reduce the times that you feel so famished that your resistance is down. If you eat frequently, you'll be more apt to limit yourself to a healthy portion.
Family and Weight
Whether it's genes or behavior, weight problems tend to run in families. Home is where you learn to eat. This includes what you eat, when you eat, and how much you eat.
Here are some family habits that can influence a teen's weight gain:
• Meals in front of the TV
• Too many snacks
• Turning to food when feeling sad, nervous, or upset -- or as the primary way to celebrate
• Large servings
• Rules to eat everything on your plate
Getting Ready to Lose Weight
Before you launch into your weight loss plan, set the stage for success.
Get smart. Knowledge is power. Read up on healthy eating and exercise so you know what to eat and how to move.
Rally support. Talk to your family and friends about your weight loss plan so they are ready to support you.
Start a diary. Get ready to record everything you eat and how much you exercise every day. You can write things down or record foods and portions by taking a picture of meals and snacks with your cell phone.
Think about what you eat. Eating when you're distracted can lead to many, many unwanted additional pounds. Slow down and take time to taste the food in your mouth and register your feelings of satisfaction and fullness.
Prepare for a lifetime of good health. There's no quick fix when it comes to weight loss, especially with tempting food everywhere you look. Plan for long-term health.
Healthy weight management takes focus and commitment. "Many people succeed at losing weight," says Kirschenbaum. "But it's important to know how much work it will take." For many people, making concerted efforts to control their weight is something they do their whole lives. If this brings you down, remind yourself that weight ismanageable. It's something you will always have to focus on, but your healthy choices can include foods you love and activities that you enjoy. The process will become more of a habit and just something you do, not always a big struggle.