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Adolescents often have trouble resisting soft drinks. Changing whole family's habits might be best tactic
By Dr. David Moore
and Bill Manville
Published on Tuesday, Mar 25, 2008
Dr. Dave: Rock and roll hall of famer Eddie Van Halen recently joined the parade of celebs checking into a rehab. But booze and dope aren't the only addictions. Right after him, Eddie's ex-wife, Valerie Bertinelli, stepped out of the shadows of her own obesity and co-addiction to become the next Jenny Craig spokesperson.
Bill: I read that she traces her troubles back to the time she and Eddie began dating in her teen years.
Dr. Dave: So many parents are struggling against their overweight kids' eating habits, I want to talk about that this week — eating habits that are often tangled up in the dating struggles of adolescence.
Bill: A good place to start might be a cocktail party I recently attended (''Iced tea, please, bartender, thank you very much.''). A worried mother — let's call her Jan — asked me about her daughter. ''She's only 14, but, Bill, no matter what I say, she keeps going to the fridge to load up on sodas, not to mention cookies and sugary cereals, too. I try to explain that they're bad for her, but she ignores me. Is it possible,'' was Jan's last, sad question, ''to be addicted to sugar?''
Dr. Dave: The ''sugar high'' is definitely psychologically addictive — you can become very dependent on it. Especially if your friends go on sugar benders right with you. Parents who brag their kids aren't drinking or drugging on dates often fail to see the bingeing on ice cream, candy and sugar that goes on in the middle of all the teen giggles.
Bill: Sweets were never one of my vices. In my drinking days, I invented the Five Martini Diet — pass out before dinner. Nor have I had trouble with my weight in the years since. So I turned to an expert on eating disorders — Dr. Susan Bartell, author of the best-selling Dr. Susan's Kids-Only Weight Loss Guide.
''If Jan came to see me,'' said Dr. Susan, whose book is subtitled, The Parent's Action Plan for Success, ''I'd tell her it is critical to help your daughter now, while she is young. To begin with, since you're the parent, it's your job to take the soda out of the fridge and out of your home! Soda is perhaps the biggest contributor to weight gain amongst children in the U.S. Next, you'll want to drastically cut down on the junk foods you keep around the house. Try mixing sugared and unsugared cereals together and offer a sweet snack (like cookies) only once a day. Your daughter won't be happy at first, but as she gets used to a healthier lifestyle, her growing psychological dependence on sugar will gradually be reduced. And we all know what looks mean to a young girl. If you also encourage her to take up sports, let's say, all she need do is look in the mirror to see that giving up sugar was worth it.''
Dr. Dave: Dr. Bartell is right on target. A disturbing hallmark of our time is the way teens disregard the life experiences and opinions of their elders, and look to their peers for ''cool'' advice. What to eat, what to wear, how to be.
Bill: Kids leading kids astray.
Dr. Dave: But one of the great discoveries of 12-step programs is the power of group morale, especially the power of the family group itself. I'd encourage Jan to make eating changes a wall-to-wall family need and goal. The ''we are all in this together'' approach is far more appealing to adolescents than ''we need to fix you.'' In family discussions, I'd drop the emotionally empty ''you shoulds'' or cross-examinations of a teen's beliefs. Instead tell your own stories of life experiences and encourage the girl or boy to respond with, ''Well, I have a friend who. . . . ''
Bill: Which we all know is code for ''I am struggling with. . . . ''
Dr. Dave: Keep the talk going. Finally, don't be hesitant to turn for help to a specialist like Dr. Bartell. If your child is trying to break an unhealthy relationship that drives eating, talk to that therapist about both Alateen and Overeaters Anonymous options for emotional support.
Dave Moore is a licensed psychologist and chemical dependency professional. Author Bill Manville hosts an addictions radio show. Addictions & Answers will appear occasionally in the Tuesday Health section and every week on Ohio.com.
Dr. Dave: Rock and roll hall of famer Eddie Van Halen recently joined the parade of celebs checking into a rehab. But booze and dope aren't the only addictions. Right after him, Eddie's ex-wife, Valerie Bertinelli, stepped out of the shadows of her own obesity and co-addiction to become the next Jenny Craig spokesperson.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 06:58 AM, 12/18/2008
Troubled adolescent chemical dependency is a serious disorder that causes physical dependence. Youths those are addicted for chemical substance abuse destroy their whole life. There are various expert treatment centers who are dedicated to supporting teenagers. They offer extensive care with lots of effective treatment programs. Treatment develops variety of qualities in struggling youths.
http://www.teenageproblems.net/
