Aesthetics, social relationships, family obligations …. Overweight young people seem more serious and more independent. The majority of them decide to lose weight on their own and 60% of young people are motivated by reasons of health.
Researchers from Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah, United States) wanted to understand the motivations of overweight young people to lose weight. They worked with 40 teenagers who were on a diet. They lost 13 pounds and kept a stable and “healthy” weight for at least a year after their weight loss treatment.
The results of the study reveal that 60% of young people were motivated by the desire to preserve their health. Then to be better accepted by their classmates. The majority of them decided to lose weight on their own. The parents just accompanied them by preparing appropriate meals.
“Most parents think that their teenager is influenced by the image other people have of them. Our research suggests that teens have more intrinsic motivations. This implies in particular that parents should help their teenager adopt healthy behaviors to be in good health rather than to be socially accepted, ”explains Chad Jensen, psychologist at the university.
According to this study, it is also important to choose the right time to start the restrictive diet and take your time. Entering college or high school can trigger the urge to lose and gain weight. At such times, the decision seems to be more successful.
“It is in a way the opportunity to re-build. A lot of changes are taking place, so some teens decide to move towards a healthier lifestyle, ”says Chad Jensen, assistant professor in the psychology department.
“None of the teens in our study lost weight in a rush. Their advice to other teens is to stay the course for the long haul, ”concludes Chad Jensen. “Most of them only lost half a kilo or a kilo per week. “
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