There are a lot of factors that influence your weight that are out of your control, like genetics (the body size and shape of other family members). However, you do have control over some factors that impact your weight such as the amount of sleep you get, stress levels, exercise, and eating habits. By getting enough sleep, you will have the energy you need to make healthy food choices and move your body in a way that feels good, whether it’s dancing, swimming, or playing soccer. Managing your stress, whether you like to journal, practice yoga, or talk things out with a friend or family member, can also prevent you from stress or emotional eating. Fueling your body with a balance and variety of foods is also important to feel your best physically and emotionally. MyPlate is a great resource to help you plan and prepare healthy meals and snacks by focusing on whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy. Making small changes such as drinking less sugary drinks and eating more fruits and vegetables are much more effective long-term than any fad diet.
It’s important to remember that some weight gain during your teenage years is normal and essential in order for you to grow and develop into a healthy adult. Before trying to lose weight, please talk with your primary care doctor to be sure that weight loss is safe for you.
Our health guides are developed through a systematic, rigorous process to ensure accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness. Written and reviewed by experienced healthcare clinicians from Boston Children's Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital and consistently ranked as a top hospital by Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report, these guides combine clinical expertise, specialized knowledge, and evidence-based medicine. We also incorporate research and best practices from authoritative sources such as the CDC, NIH, PubMed, top medical journals, and UpToDate.com. Clinical specialists and subject matter experts review and edit each guide, reinforcing our commitment to high-quality, factual, scientifically accurate health information for young people.