So I am really concerned about all the teenagers that are on this site that are so obsessive over their weight. It is one thing to be healthy but to be obsessive over a few pounds is not healthy. Teenagers have a high metabolism and just being active and not sitting in front of a computer or TV will help lose those few unwanted pounds.

I have two teenagers and they are always obsessing over their weight. I continue to tell them how beautiful they are but when they see those models in magazines they want to look like them.

It bothers me and one of these days I hope that they would be 'normal' people in magazines.

From a mother of two teenagers, please if you are a teenager please don't obsess in diets but me more concerned on being active and eating healthy.

Remember life is too short to worry about fitting into a bikini.

ah, i dont agree with that. yes, there may be some teenagers that shouldnt need to lose weight on here, but most of us dont feel comfortable at the weight we are now. i'm not trying to take my dieting over the top. just wanna shed those extra winter pounds i packed on. i'm sure many teenagers feel the same.

While some are over the top, I think its good that younger people are at least somewhat concerned. Regardless of their reasons for being on here, if they can learn the value of eating healthy instead a fatty crap and how important exercise is - its absolutely a good thing.

I totally agree that EVERYONE should learn the good things that is offered through these sites, ie. healthy eating but I have read so many other thread on this FORUM where teenagers are eating less then 1000 calories a day because they feel fat. Then you look at their profile and they only weigh 120 lbs.

Eating healthy and not eating those fatty options ie. fast food is definitely a good thing it is when they go over board with not eating instead of exercising, not obsessing over the 'model' bodies but more so the 'healthy' body.

i think its great the awareness that society is developing in terms of their health and nutrition. there is a difference between awareness and obsessive though. i think its startling some of the ludacris and unhealthy weight and calorie intake goals. i think in your teen years whether you have a fast metabolism or not you need to be getting the optimum nutrition for your growth. it upsets and distresses me

I couldn't say it any better!! I guess I was not expressing myself well, but teens have to be healthy not obsessive over the scales. Nutrition/health /exercise is the most important thing.

Not all teens have fast metabolisms. When I was younger (as in 13-14ish), my metabolism was anything but fast. I ate all sorts of healthy foods, just too much of them, and thus I gained weight and got fat. That being said, I finally got my mind set right and accomplished losing 30 pounds the healthy way. I'm 16 and feeling better than ever, not just because I'm thin now, but because I've done something great for myself. I think it's a good life experience, especially when you're young. I've worked hard for something I care about and achieved a personal goal all on my own. It's a good feeling. I don't think you need to be a certain age to realize that. I'm not going to come off as a medical professional, I don't know whether or not teens have an easier time losing weight (though I have heard that), it's still not easy. It's definitely not just getting up from the computer every once in a while. It takes time and effort. It's been really hard for my to schedule in exercise everyday, I honestly think teens have busier schedules and I'm not just saying that because I am one. Between school, homework, and my extracurriculars like band, lessons, choir, and a social life, it's hard to find time to eat right and exercise. It's also difficult because friends aren't always supportive. Your average teenager doesn't have good eating habits. If you go to hang out with your friends and ask for a piece of fruit instead of the potato chips and cookies everyone else is eating, they're going to think you're weird. If you order oatmeal or a salad at dinner, your friends are going to interrogate you on why you would ever be concerned about your weight and why are you ordering healthy food.

I'm sorry if that was a long rant, it just kind of annoys me when people think teens trying to lose weight should be any different than anyone else. It's just as hard and it takes motivation. Subconciously, we're all affected by the media, whether you like it or not. You look at models and wish you were as pretty and thin as them, there's a point in maturity where you realize they're all fakes and no one looks like them. Teens have a lot of pressure on them to have a great appearance. It's difficult to struggle through that and realize you're fine the way you are, I agree that no one should have unhealthy weight goals but that's the world today. One day those teens will realize that it's wrong to do that to themselves, and hopefully they'll have learned from the experience.

Chelsey,

It is great that you have learned something and kudos to you for your change in lifestyle. I do realize that teens have a busy lifestyle, as a parent I do the driving around for my teens and believe me my life is consumed by them and their activities. Not only is my life consumed by my teens but I work full time and I am a single mother. So being busy is no excuse for not exercising. Instead of getting you mom to drive you down the road to a friend (s) house.... walk..that is exercise.

On a bright note, I am proud of you that you have taken something away from this site that is positive (that is the purpose), but take a peek at some other forums and see the topics where teens are starving themselves and eating less then 1000 calories a day to fit into a bathing suit. There is no way possible that a teenager is getting in all his/her nutrition with those few calories.

You are an exception and I commend you for your maturity, but as I said not everyone is like you.

I don't think its fair for you to say that all girls eating 1000 calories a day are immature, or just being stupid and obsessing over a bathing suit. Many of them have a legitimate issue, such as an eating disorder, which they can't just snap out of overnight.

Have you ever thought about coaching your teenagers to lose weight in a health manner? Maybe you can help them to stop obsessing over calories, but rather to eat healthier and exercise more.

Try looking at the glass as half full. Don't forget, pressure to be thin is A LOT more intense than when you were a teen.

I'm 21 and still feeling intense pressure to be thin. I try to eat healthy and exercise, but it's tough not to feel huge next to all the size zeros. It is only going to get worse as your teens grow older and enter college. Try being a bit more supportive of what they are going through. Again, I cannot reiterate this enought, there is A LOT of pressure. It is not the same as when you were a teen. The times have changed.

no no ofcorse. i used to suiffer an eating disorder and still struggle with one, however i still find the whole quest of such irrational thiness and self abuse/punishment and body image distressing. its a sad thing. i hope we can educate and be educated about self esteem and body image, its such a personal and individual thing. we need to support and help eachother

I am only 39 and I remember what it was like when I was a teen, same pressures, same size zeros. My teens don't suffer from this intense peer pressure because they are educated by ME. What I am referring to is the teens that I see here that are eating less then 1000 calories because they want to be thin. Being Healthy is more inportant then being thin.

I understand the pressures and it is not A LOT more intense when I was a teen, same type of pressures. I just hope that teens and adults alike realize that it is better to be healthy then size 0.

I do agree that it is a maturity thing. AND STUBBORNESS. I'm just getting over it. I was one of those teens that would starve themselves-- well, then I would binge and gain it all back and then some.

It didn't take you overnight to put it on, its not going to be overnight for it to come off. I beleive we need to do more to educate teens about health/wellness. And not just the basics this time. Thank goodness for my husband and the people on TDP- I am now CONFIDENT that I wont be fat the rest of my life.

i totally and ccompletly agree with you.

Teenagers obsession with weight, appearance, eating disorders, etc. has been around for a long time and is not ramping up. Its just a lot more obvious now due to the internet and the willingness of individuals to make it known what their goals are. Hopefully that by getting their issues out onto the internet (a cry for help if you really look at it) they will find some support in others and get an idea of what a healthy body image really is.