In response to this rising pandemic Weigh-Less, the Southern African health and weight management organisation, introduced a Teens and Tweens programme in 2011.
The plan is a child-friendly version of the Weigh-Less programme, and has been specially designed for children between the ages of 9 - 18. It includes a guide on what to expect, recipes and a 'Kids only' food list - full of the foods that kids love in portions that are suitable for a healthy lifestyle.
Mary Holroyd, founder and chairman of Weigh-Less says, "Do not mistake our programme for a diet of any sorts, Weigh-Less does not advocate dieting. It is all about educating our children about the benefits of healthy eating and making healthier food choices so that they too can take charge of their health. The Teens and Tweens programme includes a variety of foods from each of the food groups to ensure optimal vitamin and mineral intake, and includes eight different formula's that can be adjusted according to their ages, personality and lifestyle."
Anisa Khan, mother of 13 year old, Tabassum, motivated her daughter, who then weighed 100kgs, to join Weigh-Less in order to not only look and feel better about herself, but so she could be healthier too. Anisa says, "I enjoy packing and preparing my daughters meals for the day. Seeing how happy Tabassum is since losing weight, is very rewarding."
"It is our responsibility to educate our children on how to approach their weight issues in a healthy manner in order to prevent them from falling into the fad dieting trap and through this assist them in maintaining a healthy weight," adds Holroyd.
Interestingly, according to fitness expert, Scott White at least 33.3 percent of children consume fast food daily. Stephanie Simon, a 16 year old from Glenvista, Johannesburg confesses that she ate junk food almost every day and would take money to school to buy treats and colddrinks. Since being on our Teens and Tweens programme and losing 13kgs, Simon has a new lease on life and says, "I don't feel like I can't eat because I am on Weigh-Less, instead I have come to enjoy eating healthier and would make the same choices even if I didn't have a weight problem. Thanks to Weigh-Less, healthy eating has become a part of my life."
Holroyd stresses the importance of offering our young ones guidance when making food and suggests the following healthy lunch-box snacks:
