Category: Teenage

Is Your Child’s Weight Telling You Something?

“Why is my child gaining so much weight?”

Maybe your child gets breathless during a short walk.

Maybe your teen refuses to go swimming with friends because they hate how they look in a swimsuit.

 Maybe food has become a secret comfort for them, or a daily battle for you.

If any of this sounds familiar, please know this: you are not alone, and it’s not your fault.

Childhood and adolescent obesity is not just a “phase” or a result of laziness. It is a complex,

chronic health condition affecting not just body size, but confidence, energy, relationships,

and long-term health.

The good news? It can be reversed. Gently. Wholly. With the right support.

Let’s understand why this epidemic is rising—and how we can heal it holistically.

Why Is Childhood Obesity Becoming an Epidemic?

In the last two decades, obesity has grown from an occasional issue to a global public health crisis. But behind this epidemic are very human, everyday patterns we’ve all seen:

1. Unconscious Eating Habits

  • Meals are eaten in front of a screen.
  • Packaged snacks between meals.
  • Emotional eating during exams, fights, or loneliness.

Children today are often surrounded by calorie-dense, nutrient-poor food, and they grow up not learning how or why to eat well.

2. The Sedentary Spiral

From online classes to video games to endless scrolling, screen time has quietly replaced play time. The average child today spends less than 30 minutes outdoors and more than 5 hours sitting.

It’s not about laziness—it’s about a system that makes movement harder and entertainment easier.

3. Stress, Sleep & Self-Image

Many kids eat when they’re sad. Others feel judged, misunderstood, or rejected. Some teens sleep for barely 5–6 hours, which disrupts their hunger hormones.
And when a child begins to feel bad about their body, the spiral deepens.

“I eat when I’m anxious. Then I feel worse. Then I eat more.”
– A 13-year-old patient, during her first visit

Is It Just in Their Genes?

Genetics does play a role, but they don’t write the whole story. What turns those genes on or off is a child’s environment, emotions, food, and habits.

Even if obesity runs in the family, it doesn’t have to be your child’s future.

What Are the Effects?

The impacts go beyond appearance:

Physical Risks

  • Early type 2 diabetes
  • High blood pressure and cholesterol
  • Sleep apnea and snoring
  • Joint pain and fatigue
  • Fatty liver (MASLD)

Emotional and Social Effects

  • Low self-esteem and body shame
  • Bullying and isolation
  • Depression, anxiety, and binge eating
  • Poor academic focus and motivation

“He used to be such a happy boy. Now he just shuts himself in his room.”
– A parent, during a nutrition consult

Our Holistic Healing Approach

At the Holistic Parenting Tribe, we don’t just “treat obesity.”
We help children reclaim vitality by healing what’s beneath the weight.

Here’s how we guide your family:

1. Nutrition as Nourishment, Not Restriction

We don’t teach diets. We teach real eating:

  • Wholesome plant-forward meals
  • Colorful plates that children enjoy
  • Mindful eating skills to reduce emotional eating
  • Family mealtime rituals for connection
  • Gut-healing foods that improve digestion, mood, and metabolism

We coach parents to make food a source of joy and strength, not guilt or stress.

2. Lifestyle Shifts That Stick

We help families rediscover daily movement—not just workouts, but play, fun, and rhythm.

We focus on:

  • Creating a screen-time balance
  • Restoring sleep cycles
  • Encouraging outdoor, nature-based activity
  • Breathwork, stretching, and self-regulation tools

We believe a regulated child is a motivated child.

3. Homeopathy: Gentle Yet Deep Healing

Homeopathy is our strength when:

  • Obesity has emotional roots (grief, shame, rejection)
  • Hormones are imbalanced (early puberty, thyroid, PCOS)
  • Your child is struggling with binge eating or cravings
  • There’s a pattern of fatigue, brain fog, or inflammation

Through careful case-taking, we prescribe personalized, constitutional remedies that work with your child’s innate healing intelligence.

4. Emotional Safety and Support

We offer safe spaces for children and teens to share what they often don’t say out loud:

  • “I don’t like my body.”
  • “Everyone laughs at me.”
  • “I feel out of control.”

Through gentle conversations, journaling, art, movement therapy, and family coaching, we help children build emotional strength and self-love—the foundation of long-term change.

A Note for Parents:

You may feel overwhelmed, guilty, or even judged by others. You may have tried everything from portion control to punishments, and nothing worked.

Please breathe.

You didn’t fail.
You didn’t have the right lens and the right team.

At Holistic Parenting Tribe, we see your child beyond their weight. We see their light—and we help you bring it back.

 A Message for Teens:

Hey, if you’re reading this—
You may feel tired, stuck, or alone in your body.
Maybe you’ve tried to change. Maybe you’ve been teased. Maybe no one gets how hard it feels.

I want you to know: You’re not broken. You’re not weak. And your weight is not your identity.

You deserve a body that feels energetic, alive, and confident—and it’s possible, with the right support.

Ready to Begin?
We offer a Child & Teen Obesity Reversal Program that goes beyond blood sugar control—it transforms health at its roots:

  •  Personalized nutritional and gut-healing support
  •  Holistic lifestyle planning for the whole family
  •  Emotional wellness and mindset coaching for teens
  • Expert homeopathic evaluation and treatment
  • Ongoing tracking, support, and progress check-ins

Book an Online Consultation
Take the first step toward your child’s healing journey with a personalized, 1-on-1 consultation with Dr. Rajeshwari Yadav.

 Click here to schedule your online consultation

 Download our FREE Child Wellness Toolkit PDF to begin small changes today

 Final Word:

This is not about blame.
This is about building a family lifestyle that heals from the inside out.

Because when a child’s body, mind, and soul feel supported, transformation becomes inevitable.

Let’s create that shift—together.

 

Is My Teen Ready for the Gym? A Wellness Guide for Growing Bodies & Curious Minds

Gym at 12? Muscle at 13?

“He’s only 13, but already lifting weights heavier than his school bag,” a worried mom told me. “Is that okay?”

Today’s teens are growing up in a gym-and-Instagram world. And parents are right to ask—is it safe?

Recently, a few bright and energetic boys and girls walked into our clinic with a common request: “Can we join the gym?” One wanted to gain muscle. Another wanted to shed weight. A third said, “I just want to get strong.” Their enthusiasm was heartwarming—but also a cue for deeper reflection.

As a parent and holistic doctor, I knew it was time to address this, not with a strict yes or no, but with clarity, science, and compassion.

Why This Question Matters

Adolescence (12–16 years) is a time of rapid physical, emotional, and hormonal change. The bones, brain, and hormonal systems are still developing.

While movement is essential, not all gym workouts are appropriate at this stage.

Safe Benefits of Exercise for Teens

Physical:

  • Improved cardiovascular health
  • Better posture and flexibility
  • Healthy weight regulation
  • Stronger bones and muscles (via bodyweight and light resistance)

Mental & Emotional:

  • Reduced anxiety and stress
  • Increased confidence
  • Better sleep quality
  • Enhanced focus and memory

Social:

  • Team spirit from group workouts
  • Communication and leadership skills
  • Emotional regulation

What Can Go Wrong If Done Too Early or Wrongly

1. Skeletal Risks

  • Growth plates are still open; heavy lifting can damage them.
  • Compression may affect spine and joint development.

2. Hormonal Disruptions

  • Excessive training may disturb puberty timing.
  • Girls may experience delayed periods; boys may feel frustrated due to slower gains.

3. Psychological Impact

  • Body dissatisfaction
  • Obsession with looks
  • Burnout or withdrawal from activity

4. Injury Risk

  • Poor form = higher risk of strains, sprains, fractures
  • Unsupervised workouts greatly increase injury risk

The Hidden Risk: Bigorexia

What is Bigorexia?

Bigorexia, or muscle dysmorphia, is a condition where teens (especially boys) feel they’re never muscular enough.

Why Teens Are at Risk

It often hides behind “motivation”—but can lead to anxiety, perfectionism, low self-esteem, and disordered eating. Social media and gym culture exacerbate this issue by promoting unrealistic body ideals.

How to Spot It Early

  • Constant body-checking or mirror time
  • “I look small” or “I need to bulk up,” despite being fit
  • Restrictive high-protein diets
  • Skipping social events for workouts
  • Obsession with influencers or physique comparisons

What Parents Can Do

  • Start early conversations – Talk about strength, health, and purpose over looks.
  • Model balance – Exercise for joy and energy, not appearance.
  • Watch behavior shifts – In food, sleep, and gym habits.
  • Guide social media use – Highlight unrealistic portrayals.
  • Seek expert help – Consult pediatricians or holistic experts if concerns arise.

👉 Need help designing a safe fitness path for your child? Book a consultation.

When to Start Gym Training?

There’s no single magic number. But general guidance:

Age What’s Safe
11–12 Bodyweight training (squats, planks, pushups)
13–14 Light resistance with bands or light dumbbells (supervised)
15–16 Structured gym workouts with machines (supervised and post-skeletal maturity)

Puberty onset and readiness vary—always consult your child’s healthcare provider.

Teen-Safe Fitness Plan (12–16 years)

Do:

  • Bodyweight training: squats, lunges, planks
  • Aerobic activities: cycling, swimming, skipping
  • Flexibility: yoga, stretching
  • Balance: games, agility drills

Avoid:

  • Heavy weights
  • Machines designed for adults
  • CrossFit/powerlifting styles
  • High-impact, unsupervised training

Key Guidelines for Parents

  1. Choose Kid-Friendly Gyms
    • Look for teen programs
    • Coaches should have pediatric fitness experience
  2. Ensure Supervision
    • Personal trainers for form and progression
  3. Keep Balance
    • Mix gym with dance, sports, or martial arts
    • Ensure rest and fun
  4. Support Nutrition
    • Teens need fuel, not fad diets
  5. Monitor Red Flags
    • Fatigue, mood swings, body obsession, rapid weight shifts

Hey Teens, This Part is for You

If you’re thinking about the gym, here’s what you need to remember:

  • You don’t need heavy weights to get strong
  • Master balance, form, and breath first
  • Focus on stamina, movement, and fun
  • Strength is about consistency, not perfection
  • Your body is growing beautifully—don’t rush it

Wellness Tracker for Teens 

Track your:

Area What to Track Example Entry
Movement Type & duration of physical activity 30 min cycling, 20 push-ups
Emotions Mood & emotional triggers Irritated after school, happy
Nutrition Meals, snacks, and hydration 3 meals + 2 fruits, 8 glasses of H2O
Sleep & Rest Duration, quality, rest days Slept 8 hrs, rested on Sunday

 Click here to download your FREE Wellness Tracker PDF

Let’s raise strong, happy, balanced children—not just from the outside, but from within.

The gym can be a wonderful part of your child’s life—if approached with care, timing, and guidance.

Have doubts about readiness? Let’s plan a personalized wellness journey for your teen.

 

The Hidden Danger in Your Child’s Breakfast

If you’re a parent, your morning probably feels like a race — packing tiffins, managing work calls, and getting your little one dressed and fed before 9 a.m., in my case, it’s 6.30 am. In all that chaos, convenience often becomes a lifeline.

So we reach for what looks easy and promising — that colourful cereal box, a biscuit packet, a “health drink” that claims to make kids stronger and taller, or a fruit juice that says “no added sugar.”

But as a doctor and a fellow parent, I want to pause with you today and ask: Are these ready-made options nourishing your child, or are we just falling for smart packaging?

What Recent Research Tells Us

Let’s start with cereals, which are a popular choice for children. A study from the United States reviewed 1,200 new children’s cereals launched between 2010 and 2023. What they found was concerning:

  • Fat content increased by over 30 percent
  • Salt (sodium) increased by over 30 percent.
  • Sugar levels went up.
  • Meanwhile, fiber and protein, two nutrients children truly need, decreased

While this study was conducted in the U.S., the patterns hold in India too. Many Indian cereal brands follow the same formulation or are direct imports.

But It’s Not Just Cereals

In my clinic, I see that the average Indian child’s breakfast or snack routine often includes  a combination of:

  • Ready-to-eat cereals
  • Health drinks (like those added to milk)
  • Biscuits or cookies (often labelled “whole wheat” or “high fiber”)
  • Flavoured yoghurts
  • Packaged juices or milkshakes

Parents choose these because they feel safer, more nutritious, and easier to prepare. But when we look at the labels, here’s what we find:

What I See on Indian Food Labels

Let me share some real figures I’ve gathered from reading labels of popular products:

  • Cereals: 8 to 12 grams of sugar per serving, barely 1–2 grams of protein or fiber
  • Health drinks: Often 15 to 20 grams of sugar per serving (that’s about 4 to 5 teaspoons)
  • Biscuits: Marketed as “healthy,” but still packed with refined flour, palm oil, and added sugar
  • Juices or milkshakes: Even the “no added sugar” varieties may have natural sugar content equivalent to soft drinks

These numbers matter because, according to the Indian Academy of Pediatrics and ICMR, a child’s daily added sugar should not exceed 5 to 6 teaspoons (20 to 25 grams). A breakfast of cereal, a biscuit, and a health drink can easily cross this limit before your child even leaves for school.

Why This Is a Bigger Concern Than It Seems

I don’t want to scare you, but I do want to show you what I see:

  • Children are coming in with complaints of fatigue, mood swings, and poor concentration
  • Unexplained weight gain or digestive issues in children as young as 5
  • Blood tests showing borderline cholesterol or early insulin resistance
  • And worst of all, a generation growing up on sugar without even realising it

The food industry is clever — they use words like “fortified,” “energy,” “growth,” and “natural” to win your trust. But as a doctor, I always say: flip the pack and read the back. The truth is in the label.

So What Can We Do?

Here’s what I tell young parents in my clinic:

  1. Stop trusting front-label claims. “No maida,” “Made with milk,” “High protein” — these are often marketing tricks. Check the actual nutritional chart.
  2. Limit added sugar, especially in breakfast and snacks. Avoid cereals and drinks with more than 6 grams of sugar per serving.
  3. Rethink ‘health drinks’. If your child eats a balanced diet, they don’t need chocolate-flavoured powders. Simple milk, nuts, fruit, and home-cooked meals do a better job.
  4. Use biscuits as a rare treat, not a daily snack.
  5. Return to our roots. Our traditional Indian breakfasts are full of fiber, complex carbs, and natural protein, and cost a fraction of these packaged foods.

Here’s what I recommend to working parents who ask for something quick and realistic:

  • Poha with vegetables
  • Moong dal or besan chilla
  • Dalia with jaggery and dry fruits
  • Idlis with sambar
  • Roti roll with paneer or aloo sabzi
  • Whole wheat toast with nut butter and banana slices

These may not come in glossy boxes, but they build real health, not just hype.

My Final Thought

I know we all want the best for our children. And I know that sometimes, it feels like you don’t have time to cook or plan every meal perfectly. But let me remind you — you don’t have to be perfect. Just be aware.
Start small. Maybe swap the cereal three days a week. Or keep biscuits out of the snack box and replace them with fruit or nuts.

A few mindful steps today can protect your child from years of health struggles later.

Want a Ready-to-Use Weekly Breakfast Plan?
If you found this helpful and would like a simple, quick, and nutritious 7-day breakfast chart for your child, designed by me to fit into real Indian mornings, you can download it here. It’s packed with tasty ideas your child will love and your routine will welcome.

Click here to download Dr. Rajeshwari’s 7-Day Healthy Breakfast Plan

With warmth and care,
Dr. Rajeshwari Yadav

 

Understanding:-Fibroadenomas and Their Homeopathic Management

Fibroadenomas, benign breast tumors composed of glandular and connective tissues, are a common concern for women, particularly in their 20s and 30s. While generally non-cancerous, these tumors can cause discomfort. Understanding their causes, types, and symptoms is crucial for effective management. Additionally, exploring homeopathic approaches provides an alternative perspective on treating fibroadenomas.

Types of Fibroadenomas:

There are four main types of fibroadenomas: simple, complex, juvenile, and giant. These tumors develop from glandular tissues and ducts in the breast, often characterized by their mobility, leading to their colloquial term “breast mice.”

Causes and Risk Factors:

Hormones, especially estrogen, may contribute to the development of fibroadenomas. Factors such as oral contraceptive use before the age of 20, family history, and obesity can increase the risk. The exact cause remains unknown, but these tumors are more prevalent during reproductive years and may change in size with hormonal fluctuations.

Microscopic Pathology:

Microscopic examination reveals uniformly distributed sheets of epithelial cells, a hypovascular stroma, and characteristic growth patterns. Differentiating between pericanalicular and intracanalicular growth patterns aids in the diagnosis of fibroadenomas.

Signs and Symptoms:

Fibroadenomas typically manifest as painless, firm, and mobile breast lumps with distinct borders. While usually benign, the risk of developing malignant breast cancer may increase for individuals with complex fibroadenomas.

Differential Diagnosis:

Distinguishing fibroadenomas from breast carcinoma, phyllodes tumors, breast lymphoma, and metastases requires careful consideration. Diagnostic tools such as clinical examination, ultrasonography, mammography, and biopsy play a crucial role in accurate identification.

Why Choose Homeopathy?

Homeopathy, a system of medicine that addresses not just symptoms but the root causes of ailments, can offer a unique perspective in managing fibroadenomas. Dr. Shailesh and Dr. Rajeshwari, with their wealth of experience, bring a compassionate and thorough understanding to their practice, ensuring each patient receives personalized care.

Tailored Treatment Plans:

Understanding the emotional and physical aspects of your health journey, Dr. Shailesh and Dr. Rajeshwari craft individualized treatment plans. Their approach goes beyond the surface, considering factors such as stress, family history, and overall well-being. By choosing their expertise, you embark on a journey toward comprehensive healing.

A Holistic Approach:

Homeopathy recognizes the interconnectedness of physical and emotional health. By seeking an appointment with Dr. Shailesh and Dr. Rajeshwari, you open the door to a comprehensive healing journey, acknowledging the impact of stress and emotional well-being on fibroadenoma development.

Why Dr. Shailesh & Dr. Rajeshwari?

These distinguished homeopathic doctors bring a wealth of experience and a track record of successful fibroadenoma management. Their commitment to patient-centric care, combined with a deep understanding of homeopathic principles, makes them the ideal choice for those seeking a holistic approach to health.

Take the First Step:

Don’t let fibroadenomas disrupt your well-being. Take the first step towards holistic healing by scheduling an appointment with Dr. Shailesh and Dr. Rajeshwari. Your journey to optimal health begins with a consultation that prioritizes you as a whole person, not just your symptoms. Trust in the expertise that these renowned homeopathic doctors bring to fibroadenoma management. Your path to well-being starts here.

Get Your Free Preliminary Consultation With Dr.Shailesh or Dr.Rajeshwari, to see how we can help you

Click Here to avail for free consultation

Conclusion:

Homeopathic management offers a holistic approach to treating fibroadenomas, addressing the patient’s overall well-being. While surgical intervention may be necessary in certain cases, homeopathy can be a valuable complementary option, especially for cases with a BI-RADS-2 score. For patients with specific characteristics, such as immobile masses or inconclusive biopsies, surgical excision may be recommended. Cases of post surgical recurrence can also be treated effectively with Homeopathic medicines. Understanding fibroadenomas and their management options empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their health.

Headache In Children: Things You Didn’t Know

“ Head pain in children“???  Yes, you heard it right, many of us can’t imagine that children can get headaches too. Many parents don’t realize that their children are suffering from chronic headaches as children who are younger than 6 may not be able to describe the symptoms they are experiencing. 

About  20 percent of 5-year-olds and About 75 percent of teenagers get occasional head pain, these can be harmless and can be managed with the help of simple treatment and home remedies.

In this post, I will help you understand headaches in children, the types of headaches children can have, the possible causes of head pain and its symptoms, and treatment.

What is the treatment for childhood headaches?

The conventional medicines for headaches include medicines to control the pain and nausea and vomiting, which are effective to control the acute attack of pain and other symptoms but fail to control the recurrence of the attack. Sometimes the use of beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, sodium valproate, and antidepressant to control the frequency of attacks.

Our Pediatric Headache Approach

  • We have devised a unique treatment approach for children, under which detailed inquiry of children, current complaint, past medical history, along with physiological and psychological assessment with diet and lifestyle and day-to-day struggles of the child is taken into consideration. 
  •  Our approach is intended to manage the physiological changes, hormonal changes, and immunological defects which are making a child prone to recurrent headaches along with diet and nutrition consultation along with lifestyle modification to overcome the triggering factors like stress, anxiety, poor sleep, dietary errors.
  • Our approach has proved beneficial in reducing and controlling the inflammatory and autoimmune processes, which can cause neuroinflammatory changes which can lead to stimulation of the trigeminal nerve which can lead to migraine in children.
  • Our approach helps your child develop a better immune system, and helps reduce allergies and recurrent infections, thus promoting the child’s average growth.
  • This all is done with sweet tiny homeopathic oral medications which are without side effects and often children love to take homeopathic sweet pills.

Duration of treatment of headache

The duration of treatment depends on the duration of the child’s headache, its intensity, and the frequency of occurrence of complaint, usually it takes 6 months to 1 year, in a few cases it can take longer too, depending on the factors mentioned.

Common Causes of Headache In Children

It is believed that the contraction of scalp muscles repeatedly can cause head pain. Also if the pain sensors in blood vessels and tissues around them if activated can result in Neurochemical changes in the brain which can also cause head pain.

 The headache is commonly caused by  

  • inadequate or poor sleep.
  • Long screen exposure.
  • Environmental factors. 
  •  Common illnesses like colds, flu, and ear and sinus infections, can cause headaches.
  • Hormonal changes in teens can also cause chronic recurring headaches.
  •  Stress and anxiety, and depression in children can also trigger head pain.
  • Genetic predisposition. Headaches, particularly migraines, tend to run in families.
  • Certain foods and beverages like Nitrates, food preservatives, food additive MSG, and caffeine in soda, chocolates, and sports drinks can cause headaches.
  • Head injuries: Bumps and bruises can cause headaches. ,
  • A chronic headache that is severe and debilitating can be because by an underlying brain tumor or abscess or bleeding in the brain but is usually associated with visual problems, dizziness, and lack of coordination.

Complication of headache

  • Acute recurring headaches affect all aspects of a child’s functioning, leading to negative affective states like anxiety, depression, and anger.
  •  Recurring head pain can increase psychosocial problems, like school absencenties which can lead to poor grades in school and, problematic social interactions.

How to prevent headaches in children

  • Practice a healthy lifestyle, which includes taking adequate sleep, eating healthy meals and snacks, staying physically active, and drinking enough water.
  • Limiting screen time
  • Reducing stress in children can be as simple as difficulty in doing homework to strained relationships, checking if a child’s headaches are liked to any anxiety or depression, taking help from experts
  • Avoid food or drinks which trigger headaches in your child.