There are both advantages and disadvantages of teenage dieting. While it is good for teen girls to want to be healthy and stay at a weight that is normal for their height, some girls overdo it and lose too much weight or go to drastic extremes trying to get supermodel thin.
Common Advantages and Disadvantages of Teenage Dieting
Advantages
Dieting can have its advantages if done in a healthy way. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, at least 14 percent of America's teens are considered overweight. Being overweight can lead to other health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Losing weight can help reduce the risks involved with being overweight. In fact, losing just 10 percent of your body weight can lower blood pressure.
The healthy way to lose weight is by following a healthy eating plan that includes lean meats, fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. Most experts recommend you only lose one or two pounds a week and combine dietary changes and exercise to achieve this loss. Other advantages of losing weight include:
- Increased self confidence
- More choices for junior clothing (plus sizes can be hard to find for juniors)
- More energy for work, school and social activities
- Living a longer life
Disadvantages
There are some disadvantages to teen dieting, including an increased risk of eating disorders. One way to avoid developing an eating disorder is to look at what the suggested weight range is for your frame and height, such as in the table listed below, and agree to not go any lower than the lowest number. The following chart is based on numbers taken from the Centers for Disease Control and their BMI calculators.
| Height | Ranges for Small Frame | Ranges for Medium Frame | Ranges for Large Frame |
| 5 feet 0 inches | 104 to 115 pounds | 113 to 126 pounds | 122-137 pounds |
| 5 feet 1 inch | 106 to 118 | 115 to 129 | 125 to 140 |
| 5 feet 2 inches | 108 to 121 | 118 to 132 | 128 to 143 |
| 5 feet 3 inches | 111 to 124 | 121 to 135 | 131 to 147 |
| 5 feet 4 inches | 114 to 127 | 124 to 138 | 134 to 151 |
| 5 feet 5 inches | 117 to 130 | 127 to 141 | 137 to 155 |
| 5 feet 6 inches | 120 to 133 | 130 to 144 | 140 to 159 |
| 5 feet 7 inches | 123 to 136 | 134 to 147 | 143 to 162 |
| 5 feet 8 inches | 126 to 138 | 137 to 150 | 145 to 167 |
| Height | Ranges for Small Frame | Ranges for Medium Frame | Ranges for Large Frame |
| 5 feet 8 inches | 141 to 148 | 145-157 | 152 to 172 |
| 5 feet 9 inches | 142 to 151 | 148 to 160 | 155 to 176 |
| 5 feet 10 inches | 144 to 155 | 151 to 163 | 158 to 180 |
| 5 feet 11 inches | 146 to 157 | 154 to 166 | 161 to 184 |
| 6 feet 0 inches | 149 to 160 | 157 to 170 | 164 to 188 |
| 6 feet 1 inch | 152 to 164 | 160 to 174 | 168 to 192 |
| 6 feet 2 inches | 155 to 168 | 164 to 178 | 172 to 197 |
Need more weight ranges? You can use the CDC's Body Mass Calculator to see what your ideal weight should be based on factors like height, weight and skeletal frame.
While there are both advantages and disadvantages of teenage dieting, striving for a healthy weight and healthier eating habits is always a positive thing to do. If teens start watching their weight early in life and stick with healthy habits, like eating whole foods and exercising, they may be able to avoid weight problems later in life.
