Teenagers and working out...

iVillage Member

Registered: 07-09-2008

6	Mon, 01-18-2010 - 8:16am

I have heard that teenaged obsession with working out can be dangerous...case in point, my 13 yo son asked me if a diet of 1200 calories with 0% fat would net a 7% body fat content and washboard abs. :O

Doesn't that sound dangerous?

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gymrat76

iVillage Member

Registered: 03-15-2004

In reply to: cl_freshstartnow

Teenagers and working out...

Mon, 01-18-2010 - 9:50am

Yes, that does sound alarming. However, teenagers say alarming things. It's kind of what they do.

I think your best defense here is education. You mentioned at one point that he was seeing a trainer but it would probably be a good idea to get him a track coach. He will probably listen to that person better than he listens to you. :) The track coach can educate him on nutrition, training goals, etc.

cl_jeanwl

iVillage Member

Registered: 03-20-2003

In reply to: cl_freshstartnow

Teenagers and working out...

Mon, 01-18-2010 - 12:06pm

I agree w/ Kel. Teens do crazy things. I think back to the diets I used to do (always unsuccessful) and shake my head. I agree that a professional, or someone he looks up to, would be a good idea--teens don't listen to parents, and the more we preach, the worst it will be. We need fat in our diets and cutting it out will not reduce body fat percentage so, no a zero fat diet is not going to help in his quest. See if he'll buy into a whole foods type diet instead. You know, being his age, I'd be surprised if he weren't close to 7% body fat. To get the abs definition he wants, the number one factor is genetics. Without that, it's impossible. Then, it's about diet and exercise. At 5'11", and growing, a 1200 calorie diet would be way too low. Does he have a doctor he can speak to, or find an RD who specializes in sports?

cl_freshstartnow

iVillage Member

Registered: 07-09-2008

In reply to: cl_freshstartnow

Teenagers and working out...

Mon, 01-18-2010 - 1:27pm

Thanks, guys (gee, why do we use the term "guys" for people?!)

cl_jeanwl

iVillage Member

Registered: 03-20-2003

In reply to: cl_freshstartnow

Teenagers and working out...

Mon, 01-18-2010 - 3:30pm

If the track coach is reasonable, and your son looks up to him/her, that might be the ideal person, degree or not. It doesn't take a degree to tell a teen that a fat free 1200 calorie diet is bad for him!