By Marie Dufour, RD – A recent study* reports that overweight youth are twice as likely to have overweight friends.
These findings certainly represent a threat. When teenagers start hanging out only with others who have a similar weight status, their obesogenic behaviors are validated and reinforced. There is a threat for group acceptance toward obesity, lack of physical activity, poor eating habits, and an overall shift toward body shape distortion. I’m OK, you’re OK.
But perhaps there is an opportunity, here. Educators and therapists have an opportunity to use these now established social networks to promote group intervention without discrimination. Inviting or challenging an entire group to modify their thinking and habits may be more effective than placing any one individual on a weight reduction program.
In fact, recent studies show that the most effective tool in weight reduction programs is the participation in support groups.
What entities can provide this kind of education and support? Schools, churches, medical groups, hospitals, cities, after-school programs, sports clubs and gyms, with the participation of registered dietitians and psychologists, have a decisive role to play in the healing of our overweight youth.
Now that overweight teenagers have established their own social networks, let’s challenge them as a group, away from the threatening “thin” people. It is our social responsibility.
* Institute of Prevention Research at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC)
Filed under: Lifestyle, community nutrition, diet, public health , childhood obesity, community nutrition, diet, healthy lifestyle, Marie Dufour RD, obesity, overweight teen, public health, weight control, weight loss
