Is It Okay for an 11-Year-Old to Follow the Weight Watchers Plan?
Wednesday, April 20th, 2011 at
9:41 am
My son is 11, 5’0" and weighs 130. He wants to lose weight and has shown some interest in my Weight Watchers plan. Do you think this is safe? Any suggestions on helping him lose weight?
Tagged with: Quot • Weight Watchers
Filed under: Weight Watchers
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As a young child generally has a higher metabolism they will have an easier time losing their weight as long as their diet is adjusted. One crucial step is to remove carbs after 5pm, or if you eat dinner before then, cut them in half. During the day choose complex carbs such as whole wheat pastas and breads. The refined sugar is also a killer, that is a major carb and very high on the glycaemic index. I dont think there is any problem with your child on weight watchers, however their portions are usually set for adults and may not work as effectively with a child. It is also a bit pricey and you could use you money more wisely to benefit your son. Also remember the best fat burner is muscle, a light workout routine perhaps with you and your son together a few times a week would also be very helpful. If he is going to snack try vegetable sticks, peanuts, trailmix… avoid the microwave pizza junk….laden in saturated fats. Hope that helps, I think if you are proactive he will rise to challenge, weight watchers may not be the best solution, putting your son on a path to a healthy lifestyle definitly is.
WW seems safe for all ages. You might want to give him a multi-vitamin daily to be sure he’s getting all his vitamins.
I think that is taking it too far. I mean he is only 11. It is kind of a lot of weight, (no offense) but when he starts puberty and grows a lot he will need the extra punds and eventually his heigh tand weight will balance each other out. I didn’t gain enough weight before my growth sput and now I am under weight by 10 pounds. If it wold make him feel better, try more exercise.
It’s a great program for people who don’t know how to eat. I do a more extreme nutrition plan, so I don’t do it. I’d also recommend the south beach diet.
i feel like yes it would be ok to let him my niece is 12 and is follwing it and lost 10ils in 2 weeks!
He won’t be able to join WW until he is 14. Then he will need a doctor’s note stating it is ok for him to participate in WW and what his goal (ideal) weight should be.
The plan is absolutely safe for anyone over 14, but because it is not a medically supervised plan, WW choses to limit their liability with the above restrictions.
The best thing you can do for him right now, is just create nutritious and healthy meals low in fat and sugar, then control the portion sizes.
The US food pyramid will give you the best guidelines for someone his age