Parents and Caregivers of Black Adolescents
Remember :
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You and your teen are not alone in facing the challenges that their obesity may present for them and the family.
Healthcare Providers: A Team Approach
Your teen will need support & monitoring from a healthcare team. Learn about ptospective treatment team members below.
Medical - Physicians, Physican Assitants, Nurse Practioners, Nurses
These medical providers help monitor overall health and growth.
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They may check weight trends, blood pressure, bloodwork/labs, sleep, and energy levels.
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Nurses may provide education, encouragement, and follow-up support during and between visits.
The care team should listen, respect lived experiences, and avoid judgment or stigma.
Mental & Behavioral Health Clinicians
Mental and behavioral health providers support emotional well-being.
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They may help your adolescent process stress, body image concerns, or experiences with bias or bullying.
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Sessions can include talk therapy, coping skills, or family support when helpful.
These providers help strengthen confidence, self-esteem, and motivation.
Mental health care is an important part of whole-person obesity treatment.
Nutrition - Registered Dieticians/Nutritionists
Dietitians support nutrition in a realistic and culturally affirming way.
They may talk with your adolescent about favorite foods, family meals, and cultural traditions.
Sessions often focus on balance, nourishment, and energy — not restriction or dieting.
The adolescent may work with the dietitian to set goals that fit her lifestyle, school schedule, and household routines.
The goal is to build a healthy relationship with food.
Physical - Occupational & Physical Therapists
Physical and occupational therapists support movement and daily functioning.
They help your adolescent find enjoyable, safe ways to move her body.
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Sessions may focus on strength, flexibility, stamina, or reducing pain and discomfort.
Therapists work at the adolescent’s pace and respect her abilities and goals.
Movement is framed as empowerment and well-being, not punishment.
Research shows that obese Black women's health is at risk due to social, financial, and environmental disadvantages that present as these girls navigate their adolescence into adulthood while obese.
Obesity Risks
What health risks come with being overweight or obese?​
Being overweight or having obesity also includes having a higher BMI, or Body Mass Index. It can also increase the chance that your teen may develop more health problems, including:​​​
Making lifestyle changes that include managing nutrition needs and incorporating meaningful movement into your teens' everyday life can help with obesity management and reduce the likelihood of the development of these conditions.
Are there any other health risks with being overweight or obese?
​​Many youth who are overweight or have obesity may experience weight-related teasing or bullying, which can affect their mental health.
For many adolescents, the emotional toll of being labeled “obese” during a vulnerable stage of identity development can be long-lasting.
Click the link below to learn more about how to find mental health support for your teen.​​​
Meet an adolescent medicine expert and learn more about how to work with one.
Expert Corner: Adolescent Medicine
Meet an adolescent medicine specialist & physician, Sari Benstianov, MD
Adolescent Medicine specialists are physicians with specialized training in caring for teens and young adults, focusing on physical health, mental well-being, and social development during adolescence.
Press Play to hear Dr. Bentisanov discuss the current challenges that adolescents face in receiving weight-related healthcare.
Expert Corner: Common Challenges
For Black female adolescents, challenges can arise when Healthcare providers focus narrowly on lowering BMI or the scale, or see individuals with obesity as a "problem," or when adolescents are negatively influenced by social media and societal pressures to be thin.
Expert Corner:
Advice for Teens & Families
Teens require significantly more support in obesity treatment, related to their age and current level of development. A team based approach is necessary to provide the supervision and guidance needed to support this population.
"Weight is just your body's relationship with gravity." - Unknown
Press Play to hear Dr. Bentisanov provide advice for families of teens managing weight-related healthcare treatment.
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