Help for TEENS???

Hey MO friends!!! I have a g/f with a 9th or 10th grade daughter who is battling obesity. Anyone have thoughts of WHERE to get her help? She's in counseling but it's not doing much good so far. She's Christian and reachign out to others for help with handling her emotional issues but still she's obviously struggling iwth fitting in as ANY teen does, and besides the USUAL teen things to bring on low self-esteem, she's got soem additional things on her plate. Her parents are divorcing, she is bi-racial, she is obese, and she's withdrawing from her peers, not even giving them the chance to embrace her.  She's rather hang out with the adults and says she has no friends. It absolutely breaks my heart. I of course COMPLETELY understand how she turns to food for comfort. She sneaks and mom finds wrapperd in her bed. She also finds her Bible there though so I'm so hopeful when I hear that. Besides the support in church does anyone know of a group for teens who are obese??? She's needs to have peers who understand where she is coming from. I know what a blessing my 2 support groups are to me!!! (one is for WLS and one is for couples/relationships) She's not to the point of having/needing WLS, but it woudl soon be an option if she continues to climb on the scale and mom is so worried for her. Both parents are also overweight and she spends time with both even thgouh they are divorcing. Thanks guys!!!!

Tamara,  I understand exactly what your friends daughter is going thru.  I am going thru this with my daughter at this time also.  I am trying to help my daughter everyway I can think of.  I know that there is a place on here where teens that are overweight can talk on a special forum.  My daughter did try to post but did not receive much replies.  I am sure that my daughter would love another girl to email and talk with.  She is in the 8th grade and going thru the same things as your friends daughter.  Also Wings may post here with some help too.   You can email me at [email protected] to talk about this more.  Randi, (my daughter)  wouldnt want me saying too much about herself here without her saying it was okay.  Please feel free to give your friend my email also if she just needs another mother to talk with since we are going thru some of the same things.  I will pray for her and her daughter.  What a good friend you are to come here and try to get them some answers.  Take care Love Susan

Dear Tami, I have often wondered about this myself-because both of my daughters battle with their weight as well-I will tell you that since I started undergoing this journey, and changed what I brought into the house and what is being offered to my children at home-my 16 yr old has lost 30# and even the baby, who is 4, lost 3#-but when you are 4-thats quite a bit-and he is not considered overweight anymore...(helped that he grew a cpl inches too~) Anyhow...Through the nutritional training etc-I was able to see that even things I thought were good for my kids were loaded with sugar, and it sure opened my eyes. I didnt even know there was a place here for teens-so maybe I should get my daughter involved in that-or something-its so hard for overweight kids anymore....its even worse than when I went through it-and I didnt think that was possible!!   I am thankful she has her Bible and her church friends, as I know thats really important to my daughter too-but it sure doesnt help at home and what have to offer them, which isnt much considering all teens think their parents are aliens-LOL...what about a weigh****chers group for teens or even here, like the Joplin Family Y offers programs JUST for teens-so that may be an idea. That poor girl-just has a lot going on right now-and most of us here can sympathize and realize that food is a crutch when we are emotional and have those issues going on! Tami-please let me know IF you find something to help her-and I will keep her and her family in my thoughts and prayers. All my love, Janet