Natural Weight-Loss Tools

Weight Loss & Youth
By Kiran Basra B.Sc. Phm., Pharm. D.


There’s probably been a time or two when you sat your kids down and gave them the “Back in the Day” speech. You know, the one about walking miles and miles to school, uphill both ways. Of course, they likely responded with a roll of the eyes and a curt, “Whatever.” Chances are you’ll never convince your kids to adhere to that kind of old- fashioned exercise ethic, no matter how many times you tell them how tough you might have had it. Let’s face it, times have changed, and it’s a challenge just to get your kid off of the computer or away from their video game console.

Convenience and complacency have replaced inspiration and initiative, and because of that, today’s youth – sometimes referred to as the “Xbox generation” – are considered the most inactive generation in history. This inactivity, coupled with poor dietary habits, has resulted in extensive increases in childhood obesity rates over the past 25 years. Childhood obesity is a real problem and the risks associated with it could be extremely detrimental to a child’s growth and development and hamper their self-esteem. So it’s time to ditch the old stories and take a more proactive approach to bettering your child’s health and wellness.

A growing epidemic

In Canada, the obesity rates in children have gone up six per cent, which corresponds to half a million Canadian youth. Similarly, the overweight population (those people not yet classified as obese but significantly above normal weight) has jumped 15 per cent over the past 25 years. This astounding percentage corresponds to over 1.5 million Canadian youth who are struggling with their weight.

As the Canadian lifestyle evolves into one that is more sedentary, the fear is that this generation may represent the first to die at a younger age than their parents. A report published by the Canadian Institute for Health Information noted that four out of five Canadian youth are 40 per cent less active than youth from 15 years ago and are, therefore, not active enough to meet the international guidelines for optimal growth and development.

The common misconception about childhood obesity is that the child will outgrow it. However, more and more studies are showing that childhood obesity is directly linked with adult obesity, and, ultimately, obesity-related health concerns, many of which were not seen until adulthood and are now becoming more and more prevalent during childhood. Diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and sleep apnea have all been linked to obesity and are being diagnosed more frequently in children. Orthopedic complications are also becoming more pronounced in our youth as the growing bone and cartilage are not strong enough to bear excess weight. What’s most concerning is the psychological effects of obesity on our children. More and more children develop a negative body image and poor self-esteem at a younger age, which often results in the development of eating disorders.

A natural response

It’s necessary to encourage your children to be more active and to develop healthy eating habits. Data indicates that children who are active are less likely to be obese than children who are less active. Vigorous exercise, even for 20 to 30 minutes a day, is a good start to developing a healthy regimen for your child. Make sure your child spends less than an hour per day in front of the TV, on the computer, or playing video games. Get them outside to play with friends or ride their bike. Enrolling them in sports is also a good way to get them moving and will help build their social skills.

The importance of balanced meals is essential for the development of all bodily organs and systems; everything from nerve impulses to muscle movement to kidney function depends on the intake of balanced meals. If your child is eating large quantities of fast food, which is high in fat and calories and low in nutrients, and not eating the appropriate amounts of fruits and vegetables, they’ll likely have to deal with weight problems. Data shows that children who eat fruits and vegetables five or more times a day are substantially less likely to be overweight or obese.

A good rule of thumb is that your child should have at least two to three medium-sized whole fruits or two to three cups of chopped fruit per day. This fruit can be added to cereal or oatmeal, blended with fruit juice or yogurt, or eaten as snacks. Fruit will give your child energy, help them feel good, and aid in weight loss.

Three to five servings of vegetables per day are also essential. One serving equals a half cup of cooked vegetables or one cup of raw vegetables. A good-sized salad with multiple vegetables in it will cover about two servings. Your child can even use yogurt dip with chopped vegetables for a great snack idea and stir-fried vegetables and brown rice make an excellent meal idea.

For grains, breads, pastas, and rice, always make sure your child is eating whole grain, brown, or whole wheat. It is better for them, has more flavour, and will provide added fibre and nutrients to their diet. Your child should stick to lean meats like chicken and turkey, and lean cuts of beef. Eating free-range or organic meats where possible is best. Your child should have protein sources at least two to three times per day, eat nuts and seeds as snacks, and eat beans a few times a week. These are all great protein sources and help with weight loss.

The Youth Program

Unfortunately for many, long-term weight loss is very difficult to achieve. Individuals often fall into a cycle of weight reduction followed by a gradual weight gain over time. Unfortunately, this cycling doesn’t reduce the risk of long-term complications and is extremely frustrating and stressful for the individual. Herbal Magic offers a full line of weight loss programs catered to meet individual needs, and designed to break the weight loss/gain cycle by replacing long-term complications with long-term solutions.

Herbal Magic is extremely proud to offer the QLP Youth program, the first program of its kind developed by our Scientific Advisory Team to treat obesity in youth aged 12 to 17. This program immediately addresses the obesity concern and plays a crucial role in the development of lifelong, healthy eating and lifestyle habits. Youth on the Herbal Magic program lose the weight and keep it off; maintaining a healthy weight ultimately reduces their risk of obesity-related health concerns. The program also provides the appropriate nutritional allotments of vitamins and minerals essential for healthy development and the appropriate usage of essential fatty acids that have been proven to aid in optimal brain function.

Our QLP Youth program will teach your child how to eat properly, make wise food choices, and gain control over their eating habits. In addition, we provide them with some safe, natural health products that ensure they’ll succeed in their weight loss endeavours. All of this comes with information on the basics of required physical activity. On the QLP Youth program, they can expect to lose weight, feel better, be happier, improve their school performance, improve their self-esteem, and significantly decrease their risk of many chronic diseases.

There is a stronger, healthier, and brighter way for our youth, one that will result in them having a more positive self-image today and a healthier life tomorrow.