In our looks-obsessed society, lots of people think that being overweight is an appearance issue. But being overweight is actually a medical concern because it can seriously affect a person's health. Diabetes and heart disease are health problems that can stem from being overweight. Being overweight can also affect a person's joints, breathing, sleep, mood, and energy levels. So being overweight can affect a person's entire quality of life.
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Losing excess body fat is a great way to get healthy. While losing excess body fat is important for overweight teens, the focus should always be on improving health, not body weight. Having a realistic weight goal can be helpful for some teens, but improving diet and increasing physical activity can be much more effective overall. Family support and education at home and at school are associated with teen weight loss success and can help reinforce positive lifestyle changes 1. Perhaps one of the easiest ways to lose excess weight is to cut back on sweetened beverages. Studies show that high added sugar consumption can lead to weight gain in teens and may also increase their risk of certain health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, acne, and cavities 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7. Simply sitting less and moving more is an excellent way to shed excess body fat. Increasing your overall daily activity can also increase muscle mass, which can help your body burn calories more efficiently 9. The key to getting — and staying — physically fit is to find an activity that you truly enjoy, which may take some time. Try a new sport or activity every week until you find one that works for you.
Has this ever happened to you? You're dressing for a date and when you pull on your favorite jeans, you can no longer button them. Or you're running down the football field when you notice that your legs rub together in a way they never did before. Maybe when you look in the mirror it seems like your pores are taking over your face. Most of us are prepared to deal with the obvious physical changes of growing up. Girls expect their breasts to grow and guys expect to become more muscular. But the body often goes through other changes before, during, and after puberty — and sometimes these changes can be very different from the ones we expect to happen. For example, both girls and guys may notice themselves growing in unfamiliar places, such as the butt or belly.
Despite most models standing tall at 5'8" and above, height isn't actually a fashion limitation. Whether you are plus size or straight size, there are plenty of short girl fashion rules to break. I myself am a fat short person, and that is something that will not change until I get older and get even shorter. My grandma, who was also 5'1", dipped down to 4'11" in her later years.
