Teens are under the constant scrutiny of their peers. The pressure to look and dress the part is so intense, some teens resort to crash diets and risky measures to shed weight. Although using diet pills is not always hazardous to your health, most diet pills are intended for obese adults, and may adversely affect a teen dieter. Talk to your doctor about the safety and efficay of diet pills for teens.
Herbs
Green tea extracts are commonly used herbal diet pills. Derived from the leaves of the Camellia sinesis plant, green tea diet pills may appeal to teens because they have a stimulant effect, due to the naturally occurring caffeine and alkaloids. The polyphenol substances in green tea are purported to promote fat burning. As with conventional medicines, side effects and risks exist with green tea and other herbal diet pills. Overuse of green tea extracts can cause irregular heartbeat, nervousness, convulsions and diarrhea. Talk to a trusted health care professional before using herbal diet pills.
Over-The-Counter Pills
Chromium -- a mineral-based diet supplement-- and chitosan -- derived from the shells of shellfish -- are examples of over-the-counter diet pills. Chromium is purported to curb your appetite, increase calorie burning and build muscle. Chitosan is thought to block dietary fat absorption. Neither is scientifically proven or guaranteed safe for teens. Consult a doctor before experimenting with these over-the-counter diet pills.
Prescription Diet Pills
Prescription diet pills are reserved for severely obese individuals. Considering a teen's weight and medical history, a doctor assesses the risks and benefits of using prescription medications. If the teen's health is not immediately endangered by his weight, a doctor may recommend the teen meet with a dietitian to develop an eating plan rather than prescribing medications.
Considerations
Teens who use diet pills should complement their medicines with a balanced diet and exercise program. Eating fewer calories than your body needs or cutting out all fats is dangerous. The amount of calories you need daily varies among teens, based on height, weight and lifestyle. Talk to a health care professional to learn more.
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