Taylor’s Favorite Healthy Snacks Fresh fruit Plain popcorn Fat-free yogurt Sugar-free gelatin Granola bars Low-fat smoothies

Adolescence can be a confusing time for young people. Everything in their lives changes: their bodies, their emotions, their responsibilities at home and school, and their relationships with parents and peers. On top of all the normal angst, young people who are overweight or obese can have a particularly difficult time with their self-image, especially when super-skinny actresses and buff athletes dominate the media. And the issues aren’t just cosmetic. Kids who are overweight can suffer medical problems that interfere with normal childhood activities.

However, youthful determination, combined with medical intervention and family support, can achieve amazing results in the battle against childhood obesity. Just take a look at Taylor Tuttle, who at age 13, decided it was time for a change.

When Taylor was about 9 years old, she started gaining weight at a rapid pace. Unfortunately, the more weight she gained, the more teasing and ridiculing she suffered from her classmates. In addition to all the cruel “fat” names Taylor endured, a cheerleader at Taylor’s school told her that she “didn’t have what it takes to be a cheerleader” because of her weight. According to Taylor’s mother, Carnella Gray, that particular comment really hurt Taylor. “Although she tried several times on her own to lose weight, nothing was working,” recalls Carnella. “So I decided it was time to make some changes around our house.”

In the summer of 2005, Carnella took Taylor for her annual check-up to Kelsey-Seybold pediatrician Susan L. Sponenberg, M.D., who told Taylor that she was also a borderline diabetic. Dr. Sponenberg enrolled Taylor in Kelsey-Seybold Clinic’s Weigh to Go program which provides helpful tips and handouts on weight reduction for kids and parents.

“Our whole family started eating healthier,” says Carnella, a postal carrier who has three other daughters, ages 18, 15 and 5. “About three nights a week, we started eating things like salad and chicken breast, and I started buying more fruits for snacks, instead of chips and candied snacks. We also took advantage of the salad bar when we ate out, so we could load up on healthy vegetables.”

At first, change was hard, admits Taylor. “But then I decided I didn’t want to become a diabetic, so I just decided to lose weight. And it helped to have my family involved,” she explains. “Now I eat more fruits and I don’t eat that much junk food, because we don’t buy it that much at our house.”

In less than a year, Taylor made remarkable progress toward her goal weight.

“So far I’ve lost about 30 pounds and grown an inch since I saw Dr. Sponenberg in the summer of 2005," Taylor said. "But I have more weight to go. I decided that I wanted to lose 40 pounds, so I’m still working on that.”

Taylor also now plays on the volleyball and basketball teams at Holub. She’s up every morning for 6:30 a.m. practices, running up and down the court, burning calories and having a great time with her friends. And it’s not just the running around that feels good. “I feel good because I can fit into more clothes,” says Taylor. “My friends notice that I’ve changed a lot and they tell me I look good.”

Carnella has been impressed with her daughter’s resolve. “Taylor just turned away from unhealthy snacks once she decided to lose weight,” says Carnella. “And as she started losing weight, it motivated her even more and gave her the willpower to eat the right things.”

Taylor’s advice to other kids who are overweight is straightforward. “Just eat healthy and don’t give up,” she says. “And stay fit by doing physical things.”

The benefits to Taylor’s weight loss are clear to Carnella. “Before she lost the weight, the clothes that she wore weren’t that attractive,” recalls Carnella. “But now she can get into her jeans and little t-shirts, and she feels more confident in herself. She even realizes that people treat her differently now that she has lost weight.”

Although Taylor was discouraged by the unkind comments of a cheerleader, she certainly had what it took to make the positive changes required to lose weight and continue on the path to a healthier life. In fact, Taylor looks forward to continuing to play basketball and volleyball all the way through high school—and possibly beyond.

When asked about her advice to other kids who are overweight, Taylor says, “Just eat healthy and stay fit by exercising—and don’t give up.”