Among the hottest issues of today that seems to never end is obesity. It’s among the top concerns in Hollywood. And seeing how what happens in Hollywood ripples into the bigger part of the society, obesity is becoming an ever-popular concern.

Weight is not really a problem unless it has reached an unhealthy level or if it is causing destructive effects such as depression, insecurity or social ineptness.

While you may be happy with your weight, your teen may not be as comfortable. Obesity in teens is caused by a lot of things — genetics, metabolism, eating habits and lifestyle being among the top in the list.

Obesity can lead to health problems such as orthopedic complications, sleep apnea, hypertension and gall bladder disease. Aside from these, obese teens have higher chances of having diabetes, high blood pressure, and difficulty in breathing.

Obesity can be a very touchy issue. An obese child is likely bullied in school. And aside from health complications, an obese child can suffer social and personal insecurities.

If you want to talk to your teen about her weight, be casual about it. You don’t want to corner them and talk about their weight problem. Or you can wait for them to consult you about it.

When they do consult you about it, offer them help and support. They need to be motivated to lose weight and that is so not easy to do. They might need you to come with them to the gym or they might need you guide them adopt a healthier lifestyle. As an adult, you can teach her more about discipline and control on eating habits and more healthful choice of foods.