How Can I Help My 13 Year Old Lose Weight?

I would suggest that she gets some active hobby. When I was a teen, I was often too involved in things (cheer, creative dance, bike riding, walking with friends) to remember to eat! Limit her tech time and get her moving! You may have to join her on some activities. Good luck

One way you can help her is by making an appointment with a dietitian and having the dietitian help you look at the food you provide for your family, and make sure that it is as healthy as it can be.

Don't make this about your daughter. Make the appointment because you want your entire family to be healthier, and that starts with eating healthy food.

There are lots of ways to get a dietitian recommendation - the pediatrician, your PCP, or even your health insurance plan (my health plan has a number to call to get recommendations on living a healthier lifestyle that includes nutritionists and dietitian referrals, yours might too).

cchoose whole grains.

2. Drink plenty of water.

3. Choose lean meats and fish.

4. Know the portion sizes for your calorie target.

5. Limit fats to an average of 15 grams per meal.

6. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible.

7. Work out for no less that 45 minutes, 4-5 days a week.

8. Select foods with less than 3 grams of fat per 100 calories.

9. Choose pretzels, baked chips, fat-free popcorn instead of fries and chips.

10. Avoid foods with partially hydrogenated oils, trans-fats and high-fructose corn syrup.

11. Choose cereal, bread, crackers or chips that contain 2 or more grams of fiber per 100 calories.

12. Choose fat-free or low-fat variety of foods especially when it comes to dairy products (milk, cheese, and yogurt).

See a nutritionist.
Take all sweets and junk food out of your pantry. Don’t buy it.
Take all soda and juice out of your fridge. Don’t buy it.
Serve small amounts of white carbs - pasta, potatoes, rice, white bread etc.
Serve protein and vegetables and fruit.
No in between meal snacks.
Put her on a swim team. Make sure she gets exercise.

Agree with other comments suggested. Medical advise is always recommended.

My thoughts are to have her journal her food for about a week. Make sure she lists amounts ie. three rolls, 1/2 cup carrots, 20oz bottle of soda, Wendy's Taco Salad. Then have her take a look and see if she is actually eating from all the food groups. Also see if the portions are too much, maybe she is eating the correct things just too much. Is she drinking enough water? Does she have a protein (Egg, Ham, Nuts) in the morning? Breaking the fast in the morning with protein helps carry you through the morning.

When talking with the doctor take that journal and together you all can come up with a good plan. Good luck to your daughter.

The best way is exercise and diet. You might try to talk to a dietitian. That way they can help you learn how to cook for her. Just try not to make her feel bad about the way she looks.

Give her healthy food choices.
Don't have any junk food in the house - chips, cookies, donuts, cake, sugary kids cereals, etc.
Cut back on fast food or make it a lot less frequent.
Make a point of going out together for family walks.
When going anywhere - park farthest away so everyone can get more walking in.
When you have a choice try doing more stairs instead of elevators/escalators.
Sign her up for taekwondo.
Try not to pressure her.
Show love and affection in ways that are not food related.
Many people equate love = food.
Good behavior is often rewarded with food, etc.
Try to get away from doing that if that's how it works in your house.

What does her pediatrician say?

My dd had a friend who was literally twice her size and one thing I noticed was that her family ate out all the time. I know the mom was busy working, but she never cooked at home. She always stopped and got fried chicken or pizza or whatever. The kids also frequently made frozen things in the microwave. Even though these foods are convenient, they're high in calories and usually have no fiber. If you can, make lots of salads...they take longer to eat and you consume fewer calories.
Even with exercise, you have to reduce the intake.

She needs to be under the care of a pedi, dietician/nutritionist.

How did this happen? Obviously not overnight!!

I would suggest putting her in sport to help keep her active. Soccer, swimming, basketball are amazing and fun sports to burn fat. My daughter was overweight at 13 I changed the way I cooked and asked her what sport did she want to play. She went with soccer and swimming and lost 40 pounds in 1 1/2 years. I never said the word diet and neither did she. There was no pressure on her weight loss and I believe that is why it was so easy for her to lose the weight. I also got involved in her activities and lost 20 lbs. Our entire family began eating healthy and I think you all should do this with her so she doesn't feel like she is the only one changing her eating habits.