What's a Healthy Weight?
Some teens have a difficult time projecting a healthy weight for themselves. Girls especially may think they need to be thinner than they are, or should be. Extraordinary concern or obsession for thinness leads some teens to the eating disorders of anorexia nervosa (dieting to starvation) or bulimia (overeating and then vomiting).

If you're concerned about your weight, it's important to talk to a health professional such as your family doctor or the school nurse. That person can help you decide whether you do need to lose weight and, if so, the best way to achieve and maintain a weight that is healthy for you.

If health professionals recommend that you need to lose weight, most experts say it's best to increase your exercise as the first step. Often that's all teens need to do for weight control because they're rapidly growing. If eating less is also necessary, it is best to continue eating a variety of foods while cutting down on fats and sugars.

Losing weight quickly on a very-low-calorie diet is never a good idea for anyone. And if you're into sports, you should be aware that it could affect your athletic performance. Under no circumstances should you drink less fluid to lose weight. A steady loss of a pound or so a week until you reach your goal is generally safe, and you're more likely to be able to maintain your weight loss.

Skipping meals to lose weight is another poor idea. You're likely to overeat at the next meal just because you're so hungry. And surveys show that people who skip breakfast or other meals tend to have poorer nutrition than those who don't.

For more information on healthy weight, visit the following links:

http://www.girlshealth.gov/nutrition/weight.htm

http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/gain_healthy_parent.html

http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/obesity/l/bl_amifat_rslts.htm

http://www.pinellaswellness.com/

http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/

http://www.nutrition.com.sg/de/defdsports.asp