Should My 12-Year-Old Weigh Herself?
TeenHealthFX does not believe it is necessary
for your 12-year-old daughter to weigh herself. When it comes to teen years and
body image, it can be a very fragile subject. At times, parents can
subconsciously put their own weight struggles or beliefs on to their children
without realizing it. A good idea is approaching the subject as a family in a
variety of ways rather than just weight alone.
American Psychological Association (APA) explains that it is very important to talk to children and teens about eating healthy and proper amount of exercise but doing so in an effective manner. Never tease or force a child/teen to go on a diet for being overweight. It is possible that this tactic may backfire and result in the teen having bigger weight or food issues as they get older. Instead, a good idea is to eat healthier and exercise as a family. By encouraging better eating habits and being physically active it allows the teen to get in the habit of taking care of their whole self rather then focusing on cutting out food. Try to make a routine of making healthier food choices and going for walks, bike rides, or on-line exercising together. Not only will this help the entire family stay healthy, it can reinforce the importance of spending quality time with family.
