Should there be an age limit on dieting?

LemonPoppySeedMuffin

I definitely do think so. I believe anyone under 18 should only diet for medical purposes e.g. being GENUINELY overweight. Too many young ones get caught up in it all, ruining their lives when they were fine as they were. There are so many under-aged on here, this site is wonderful however if used for the wrong reasons, can be a death trap.

Don't mess with your body when it's developing! Because if you do, you'll be stuck with it for life.

DIETING AS IN EATING LESS CALORIES THAN THE RECOMMENDED AMOUNT.

Krizzle4Rizzle

My dad tried to get my doctor to put me on a diet when I was 5. The doctor refused since I was in a healthy weight range. Yeah..I didn't have a good father.

Shweedog

All that being said I do not think anyone should diet, but rather make a lifestyle change in regards to healthy foods and an active lifestyle. And that is good for any age- young and old.

LemonPoppySeedMuffin

My dad tried to get my doctor to put me on a diet when I was 5. The doctor refused since I was in a healthy weight range. Yeah..I didn't have a good father.

I'm grateful you had a good doctor!

russelljclarke

I was ready with a retort there, till I read your post and found it was talking about youngsters, rather than 'greys.'

Iamfit4life

I hate when this site is used for the wrong reasons, and it's so painfully clear when it is.

I hate to say this, but usually it IS the youngest ones using this site to make their illness worse.

Artemis_Acorn

On the flip side, there should not be an age limit on eating healthy as opposed to eating crap. Parents should be reserving foods like chips / pop / cookies / pizza / candy etc. for special occasions, not every day fare. Children eat what is available.

AlsDonkBoxSquat

I honestly don't think anyone should "diet" I think everyone, no matter the age, should try to eat healthy and thoughtfully. Unfortunately this doesn't always happen. When you have a child under your designated age who is obese, several hundred pounds, eats an enormous number of calories in a day, has type 2 diabetes and other healthy problems related to weight, what is your solution?

mirenner

diet doesn't necessarily mean 'to lose weight'...

there are many diets for physical and mental issues...

so, its all variable upon the reason

LemonPoppySeedMuffin

I honestly don't think anyone should "diet" I think everyone, no matter the age, should try to eat healthy and thoughtfully. Unfortunately this doesn't always happen. When you have a child under your designated age who is obese, several hundred pounds, eats an enormous number of calories in a day, has type 2 diabetes and other healthy problems related to weight, what is your solution?

Like I said, UNLESS for medical reasons
Which should be led by a professional e.g. GP or dietician.

quitmakingexcuses

On the flip side, there should not be an age limit on eating healthy as opposed to eating crap. Parents should be reserving foods like chips / pop / cookies / pizza / candy etc. for special occasions, not every day fare. Children eat what is available.

THIS.

Silvercivic

I was slightly overweight as a high-schooler. And it is because I ate way too much food. I remember packing my lunch and eating it in the hallway before classes started for the day and then eating a second lunch when it was actually lunch time! Then I would go home and snack on something, eat a giant dinner, and sneak some more food at night. I don't view MFP as a diet, but rather a way to be more mindful of what and how much you are eating. So I think I would have benefited from being more mindful of what I ate as a teenager in order to start developing healthier habits at a young age. They teach kids to make choices about what they eat in terms of nutrition, why not also keep calories in check?

With that being said, I'm not sure if my teenage self would be mature enough to handle something like MFP. Would I get too caught up in it and use it the wrong way? Perhaps... So I see your point, but I do think that many younger people would benefit from establishing healthy eating habits at their younger, more impressionable age.

MikeM53082

I started dieting around the age of 10.

There was a weight limit to play mini-football for my age bracket (I believe the weight was 115lbs). I remember being *really* young and running the track wearing a garbage bag under my cloths (to sweat like crazy) before the football game to make weight. I did this between ages 10-13.

I never wrestled in high school, but I know guys would do crazy stuff to lose a lot of weight in a short period of time.

loombeav

Absolutely. I realize there are some kids that are overweight and IMO they should only "diet" under the care of their physician. It saddens me when I see young girls fixated on an unhealthy body image.

kendernau

You are never too young to learn good habits. That said, for anyone still growing (I'd go as high as 25, depending on the person), I would generally not recommend going on a weight loss program without a doctor's recommendations.

Particularly if you are only slightly over (overweight but not obese), focusing on healthy habits and a maintenance-level caloric intake can let you grow into your weight.

Even if a doctor recommends you lose weight, regardless of age, doing it with the help from this community is one of the best ways I have seen to do it - a healthy rate of weight loss through a balanced diet, proper portions, and an appropriate level of exercise. Done right, this transitions right into a continued healthy lifestyle with the same elements when you go into maintenance mode.

DestinyDarbi

I completely agree! I think there is a difference in using it for a healthier lifestyle and using it to "diet." But I'm 23, and I have friends my own age doing it for the wrong reasons.

onefitdiva

My daughter is 15 and she has 2 obese, not chubby friends. These girls need a medically supervised diet or they could be headed down a very unhealthy road facing diabetes and many more health issues. Not to mention the damage to self esteem, they are picked on in school, mostly by the boys, (which is disgusting and cruel, but lets face it kids often can be very mean and parents and school administrators can only do so much). The one childs parents are also severely overweight but refer to themselves as "naturally big people" they make jokes about freaking the Chinese people out that own the Chinese buffet when they come in. That is fine if they are happy with themselves, I can not help to worry about the current and future health of their teen.

Pollywog39

I, too, thought this might refer to "oldies but goodies" like me

I figure when I'm 80 or so, I might give myself license to eat and drink whatever the heck I want.........but, at 56, I'm trying to stay alive a little longer and feel as good as (or better than) I do right now!!!

LemonPoppySeedMuffin

On the flip side, there should not be an age limit on eating healthy as opposed to eating crap. Parents should be reserving foods like chips / pop / cookies / pizza / candy etc. for special occasions, not every day fare. Children eat what is available.

That's how I was brought up. I was only allowed junk on weekends. I was so jealous of other everyone else who had chocolate bars in their lunch boxes, I got picked on for eating wholemeal bread! I'm glad my mother brought me up like that, I have a better understanding of what's good & what's bad for me.

sirmio

I don't know, there isn't anything inherently wrong with it. As long as the person is getting adequate nutrition and is not creating a calorie deficit (unless they are at an unhealthy weight overage), where's the harm?

I think you mean an unsupervised diet. When you're under 18, your parents are involved in your trip to the doctor and the dentist. When you play sports, you're supervised by a coach who probably has several certifications and/or a degree in exercise science, and even then you need a physical first. If those same precautions are taken with dieting, it's plenty safe I think.

TheBraveryLover

Do you mean an age *minimum*? I see your point, but I'm also pretty apathetic when it comes to other people who don't directly affect me or someone I love.

onefitdiva

Regarding to the no junk food replies.........Me as well. No junk and McDonalds was a rare treat. My mother's head nearly exploded when I was young and asked for peanut butter and ....fluff! That was not happening....I was the weirdo with Tuna on rye.

mcadams1

I started dieting around the age of 10.

There was a weight limit to play mini-football for my age bracket (I believe the weight was 115lbs). I remember being *really* young and running the track wearing a garbage bag under my cloths (to sweat like crazy) before the football game to make weight. I did this between ages 10-13.

I never wrestled in high school, but I know guys would do crazy stuff to lose a lot of weight in a short period of time.

My 11 year old son is also in this situation, he has to make weight of 125 before every game and I complained because he works very hard at practice and they gain muscle and they are growing so they should not have to weigh in before every game that is ridiculous besides once they get older they will be no weight limit for football so why have it for PeeWee football. I am trying to teach him healthy eating habits but I don't want him to diet at all.

LemonPoppySeedMuffin

It makes me so angry when parents put their children on diets when they shouldn't be on one in the first place! They have no idea what damage they could be doing to their child- physically & psychologically!

Hellbent_Heidi

On the flip side, there should not be an age limit on eating healthy as opposed to eating crap. Parents should be reserving foods like chips / pop / cookies / pizza / candy etc. for special occasions, not every day fare. Children eat what is available.

I agree...I have friends with kids who complain that they "have to" keep junk food in their houses because they have kids. Since when do kids NEED a bunch of sugary crap in their diet? One friend bakes brownies or cookies every week because "the kids want them"....well, my thoughs are that the kids could do with less of that more healthy fruits and veggies for snacks. As a kid, my mom only baked cookies like 3 or 4 times a year maybe....

I just hate seeing bad habits passed onto a new generation!

quitmakingexcuses

It makes me so angry when parents put their children on diets when they shouldn't be on one in the first place! They have no idea what damage they could be doing to their child- physically & psychologically!

Exactly.. They're putting such a complex in that kid's mind! Though like said before, I don't think it's EVER too early to have your children eating healthy. I'll sometimes scold my mom for feeding my 3 year old sister a cheeseburger from McDonalds. It's just not needed!!

MikeM53082

I started dieting around the age of 10.

There was a weight limit to play mini-football for my age bracket (I believe the weight was 115lbs). I remember being *really* young and running the track wearing a garbage bag under my cloths (to sweat like crazy) before the football game to make weight. I did this between ages 10-13.

I never wrestled in high school, but I know guys would do crazy stuff to lose a lot of weight in a short period of time.

My 11 year old son is also in this situation, he has to make weight of 125 before every game and I complained because he works very hard at practice and they gain muscle and they are growing so they should not have to weigh in before every game that is ridiculous besides once they get older they will be no weight limit for football so why have it for PeeWee football. I am trying to teach him healthy eating habits but I don't want him to diet at all.

Ah, the good ole PeeWee football days. *gets nostalgic*

I never understood the weight limit for mini- football either. Once you reach junior high, their isn't any weight limit. I remember coaches putting a TON of pressure on me to make weight (which is insane at that age). I imagine the pressure is pretty intense in football-crazed Alabama.

You have the right idea in teaching him to eat right year round. Football practices are pretty intense, so he shouldn't have a problem burning calories and getting some good exercises.

LemonPoppySeedMuffin

It makes me so angry when parents put their children on diets when they shouldn't be on one in the first place! They have no idea what damage they could be doing to their child- physically & psychologically!

Exactly.. They're putting such a complex in that kid's mind! Though like said before, I don't think it's EVER too early to have your children eating healthy. I'll sometimes scold my mom for feeding my 3 year old sister a cheeseburger from McDonalds. It's just not needed!!

Healthy eating should be set by day one! The odd cheese burger now & again isn't a problem. Sometimes when I do see parents giving their baby a McDonald's, I do cringe though.

quitmakingexcuses

It makes me so angry when parents put their children on diets when they shouldn't be on one in the first place! They have no idea what damage they could be doing to their child- physically & psychologically!

Exactly.. They're putting such a complex in that kid's mind! Though like said before, I don't think it's EVER too early to have your children eating healthy. I'll sometimes scold my mom for feeding my 3 year old sister a cheeseburger from McDonalds. It's just not needed!!

Healthy eating should be set by day one! The odd cheese burger now & again isn't a problem. Sometimes when I do see parents giving their baby a McDonald's, I do cringe though.

I almost wish my parents never let me have fast food when I was younger though. I've had weight issues my whole life and even started my first diet in 7th grade. And now my younger brother (who is 14) has those horrible habits, but my parents always tell him he needs to stop so he can drop weight for hockey, therefore making him faster, better, etc. But they still let him eat the junk! It's a never ending cycle!

LemonPoppySeedMuffin

It makes me so angry when parents put their children on diets when they shouldn't be on one in the first place! They have no idea what damage they could be doing to their child- physically & psychologically!

Exactly.. They're putting such a complex in that kid's mind! Though like said before, I don't think it's EVER too early to have your children eating healthy. I'll sometimes scold my mom for feeding my 3 year old sister a cheeseburger from McDonalds. It's just not needed!!

Healthy eating should be set by day one! The odd cheese burger now & again isn't a problem. Sometimes when I do see parents giving their baby a McDonald's, I do cringe though.

I almost wish my parents never let me have fast food when I was younger though. I've had weight issues my whole life and even started my first diet in 7th grade. And now my younger brother (who is 14) has those horrible habits, but my parents always tell him he needs to stop so he can drop weight for hockey, therefore making him faster, better, etc. But they still let him eat the junk! It's a never ending cycle!

People forget that healthy diet means a well balanced diet. Just eating fruit & veg can be as dangerous as just eating veg. You miss out on so many vital nutrients by sticking to the same thing.

quitmakingexcuses

People forget that healthy diet means a well balanced diet. Just eating fruit & veg can be as dangerous as just eating veg. You miss out on so many vital nutrients by sticking to the same thing.

I almost wish they'd teach nutrition and stuff in schools, but more in depth than they actually do. I don't remember learning anything about having a healthy lifestyle when I was young. Though I guess it's the parents that are buying the food soo...