Someone once said, “Health is wealth.” This statement is true given that there are more teens obese today than it was 20 years ago which could lead to various problems in the future such as diabetes and heart disease.

The best way to lose those extra pounds is by working out and going on a diet. Unfortunately, a lot of teens find it difficult to balance the time, which is why many have turned to weight loss pills.

Weight loss pills are designed to make a person lose weight by suppressing one’s appetite. The only drug approved by the FDA for use on teens between the ages of 12 and 16 is Xenical, which was once only used by overweight women.

When teens decide to eat food, the main ingredient, Orlistat blocks the absorbing of fat and releases this out through the intestine as waste. In a comparative study done between those who took the drug and those on a placebo diet, results prove that the people here lost an average of seven to eight pounds, which is much higher than the other group.

Since the body needs fat, teens are advised to compensate for the losses by having this replenished during the three regular meals of the day.

The test group did not just take Xenical to get the results. These people also had to follow a strict diet plan and exercise to maintain the weight that was lost. One of the things to also watch out for are the side effects such as gas pains, nausea and wet stools that will prompt the person to frequently go to the toilet.

Xenical is a prescription drug. This means that the parents of the teenager or that person cannot just buy this off the counter. It is only after a thorough medical examination has been conducted that the doctor will allow the patient to use this kind of medication.

Will someone who takes this get the same results like those in the test study? The answer is no. This figure could be higher or lower which really depends on the patient’s metabolism.

Patients are advised to discontinue the use of Xenical if there are no signs of improvement after six months. Doctors may have to try something stronger such as the next one called Meridia.

Meridia is a diet pill that sends a signal to the brain making the person think that the body is already full after eating only a few servings. The ingredient that makes this happen is called Sibutramine. It works much differently than Xenical with the same objective of losing the excess weight.

There are two other diet pills that the patient may take. These are namely Bontril and Didrex. These ingredients of these two drugs are different and the doctor may increase the dosage if there are no signs of improvement.

Unlike Xenical and Meridia, both of these pills have certain ingredients that are quite addictive so this can only be used for a short period of time. A gradual decrease in the dosage is also done to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Diet pill such as those mentioned are only used for teens that are obese. Those who are overweight will have to go on a diet and exercise given that people at this young age can still engage in strenuous activity unlike people two or three times that age.

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Obesity is worldwide problem. There are millions worldwide who are suffering from this disease. In the United States, there are about 12.5 million children and adolescents who are overweight. Children are also suffering from the diseases associated with obesity and disease traditionally seen only in older people, like diabetes and heart disease. Because of these health problems, they are looking for weight-loss options and gastric bypass surgery is one of them.

Gastric bypass surgery is not the popular among the young population though. About 1% of those who undergo the procedure are teens according to the survey reported in Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine in March 2007. There is a relative increase on the number of teens undergoing the procedure, but still remains unpopular or uncommon.

Sadly, obese children think that they are living a kind of life like those who have cancer and undergoing chemotherapy, according to the survey done by the Journal of the American Medical Association. Teens suffering from obesity would deal with being teased, socially not accepted, and unable to participate in social activities.

Not all obese teens are recommended to undergo gastric bypass surgery. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2004, there are guidelines that should be considered before a teen or an adolescent is recommended for gastric bypass or any weight-loss surgery:

Failed to lose weight by any organized attempt of weight management for the last six or more months, with an assistance of a doctor.

Have reached a physiological and skeletal maturity. Adolescents that have reached an age (or older) of 13 years old for girls and 15 years old for boys have reached this level of maturity.

Has a body mass index (BMI) of more than 40 associated with severe obesity-related problems. Has body mass index of more than 50 even though there are no serious obesity-related problems.

There are medical and physiological examinations and evaluations performed before the surgery, the teen undergoing that should be prepared to handle these evaluations.

In general, those who have undergone gastric bypass surgery are advised to avoid pregnancy at least two years after the surgery. This is to avoid any complications and increasing risk to the fetus because of drastic weight loss. Anybody, not only teens, should be aware and agree on this.

Prepared to follow strict dietary regulations after the surgery. There is a strict diet that patients should follow like low sugar, low fat, low-carbohydrates, and low-calories meal plans.

Have a supportive environment. Because of the dramatic change in their lifestyle, teens should have supportive family environment that will be able to guide them to the different changes. Often times, there are patients of weight loss surgeries who would suffer from different physiological and psychological side-effects, like depression. Families should be prepared in helping their children through these stages.

There are doctors who would say that conducting gastric bypass or other bariatric surgery on teen-agers are safer than conducting the procedure with adults. Teens have not developed any case of obesity-related problems like high blood pressure and heart disease which are common among adults and also increases the risks of surgeries. Teens also heal faster and required less time spent in the hospital.

There are many benefits by undergoing gastric bypass and weight-loss surgeries. Some patients would even report losing 5% of their weight within the first month and about 50 to 60% within a year. Associated obesity related problems are also reduced by having the surgery. However, not everybody is recommended to undergo the procedure.

Even a teen is required to have be able to make sound decisions, before undergoing surgery. Afterall, maturity does not come with age.

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Any teenage diet plan can pose a potential health risk, especially in people who have certain medical conditions. It’s imperative, therefore, to seek medical advice before starting such a plan. In most cases, doctors will advise against teenage dieting because it usually is not necessary.

Teens are at a vulnerable stage and take peer pressure very seriously. They worry about their appearance which can cause those who do not have a weight problem to take drastic measures. Skipping meals is not the answer.

The best teenage diet plan provides the proper nutrients that are needed to build healthy bones and maintain overall good health from the inside out. Your doctor can advise you on the best plan for your specific needs.

If you eat junk foods constantly you will not receive the benefits of a good teenage diet plan. Instead, they will be at risk of developing weight-related health problems that include diabetes and heart disease.

Keep in mind that being a little heavy is common in people your age. Most people will lose that excess weight naturally as they grow. Also, everyone is different. What might be a good weight for someone else might not be right for you. You have to consider your bone size, your height, and what is a normal weight for your family.

You can always benefit from eating nutritious meals and avoiding junk food, which contains very little nutrition. Here’s a good teenage diet plan you can follow to reduce your weight if you are overweight.

One important element of a good teenage diet plan is exercise. Sometimes, this is enough. It helps your body to digest the food that you eat. It builds muscle which naturally burns calories. Exercise uses energy that would otherwise turn into fat.

We’ve already talked about avoiding fast foods and any high carbohydrate and sugar-based foods such as candy bars, potato chips and sodas. They have limited to no nutritional value. When eaten, these foods quickly turn to unhealthy fat which can block your blood vessels and arteries.

It’s best to create your teenage diet plan with your doctor’s or parent’s help, especially if you are extra heavy. Refer to healthy eating books and magazines for advice and ideas. Preparing a diet plan that gets results is not that difficult.

Fruits and vegetables: Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables to ensure you get natural minerals. Certain vegetables, like asparagus, will help you to lose weight. Carry small quantities of fruits and vegetables for snacks.

Lean meats: Lean meat can actually help you to lose weight because it takes more energy to digest than other foods. Avoid eating a lot of red meat because it contains more fat than other meats and is harder to digest. Choose chicken or fish instead. Eat a small amount every day.

Milk and cheese: These two foods provide much needed calcium. Skim milk has less fat than 100% milk but with all the goodness. Cheese is another food that can actually help you to lose weight because it boosts your metabolism.

Water: Water is essential, especially when you’re exercising. It’s about the only food you can eat that is guaranteed non-fattening.

Rather than eating three large meals a day, switch to 4-6 smaller meals a day. This will keep your body’s metabolism working and prevent the food from turning to fat.

Remember that the best teenage diet plan involves eating less more often, and getting lots of exercise.

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