Healthy teenage bodies come in all shapes, sizes and stages of development. Your body needs healthy fuel and plenty of activity to help it grow strong, and puberty may cause some changes you don't like along the way. If you're really concerned about the way your body looks or is changing, your doctor can put your mind at ease -- or guide you toward a solution if something is truly wrong.
Weight
Many teenage girls worry about their weight, and it's true that childhood and teenage obesity rates have skyrocketed in recent years. However, teenagers' bodies are still growing; a girl may suddenly grow a few inches without gaining the accompanying weight until later, and vice versa. Healthy weight ranges are difficult to determine for teenagers because recommendations change by the month, but some online calculators are available. A girl who has just turned 15 and is 5 feet, 3 inches tall, for example, has a "healthy weight range" of about 95 to 135 lbs. Only a doctor can determine if being outside of this range is truly "unhealthy" for you, though.
Nutrition
Because their bodies are still growing, teenagers should generally avoid strict diets that may deprive their bodies of certain nutrients. Following the adult food pyramid guidelines is a good way to ensure adequate nutrition while focusing on eating healthy, whole foods. According to federal guidelines, teenage girls should aim to consume about 2,200 calories per day, including nine servings of whole grains, four servings of vegetables, three fruit servings, three low-fat dairy servings and two servings of lean protein.
Exercise
Developing an active lifestyle as a teenager can help you keep the habit for a lifetime. Federal guidelines recommend most children get about an hour of physical activity per day. It can be hard to squeeze that hour into a teenager's busy schedule, but exercise helps prevent obesity and keeps you healthy no matter what your weight, so it's important. Playing a sport, taking a dance or yoga class, or going to the gym after school are all good ways to get that workout in.
Mental Health
Self-esteem and other aspects of mental health are also extremely important to a teenage girl's overall health. Peer pressure, media images and parents -- especially mothers -- who are dieting or overly concerned with their own appearance can all contribute to a negative self-image in teenage girls. Rather than nagging their daughter about her diet or exercise habits, parents can set a good example by leading a healthy lifestyle and displaying positive self-image. If you suspect your daughter is participating in disordered eating or other self-harm, seek a doctor or counselor's advice immediately.
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