Overweight and Obesity

Articles In This Section

• Who Can Get Weight Loss Surgery?

  Doctors may do weight loss surgery if someone who is very overweight has tried but failed to lose weight and faces serious medical problems. Find out what makes teens eligible for bariatric surgery.

• Therapy and Weight Management

  Losing weight can feel like a challenge, no matter how much we want it. It can sometimes seem like our minds are working against us. That's where weight-management counselors can help.

• Managing Your Weight

  Has your doctor told you to lose weight? Get ideas on food, fitness, and staying motivated. We've also got weight management tools and recipes designed just for teens.

• Go, Slow, and Whoa! A Quick Guide to Healthy Eating

  Looking for an easy way to eat healthier? This article provides tips on choosing the right foods - and an easy-to-follow chart to guide you.

• Weight Management: Strength Training Exercises (Video)

  These videos guide teens through basic strength training exercises. Anyone can do these exercises, and they work well as part of a weight-loss plan.

• Weight Loss Surgery: Stacie’s Story (Video)

  After struggling with weight her whole life, Stacie decided to look into weight loss surgery in her late teens. Here's her story.

• Losing Weight: Brandon’s Story (Video)

  Brandon, 17, has lost 70 pounds through better eating and exercise. In this video he talks about what inspired him and how he stayed on track.

• It Looks Like There’s Dirt on My Skin That Won’t Wash Off. What’s Going On?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Will My Monthly Cycle Go Back to Normal With PCOS Treatment?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Acanthosis Nigricans

  Acanthosis nigricans, or AN, is a darkening and thickening of the skin that can be a sign of certain other medical conditions. Find out more.

• Metabolic Syndrome

  Metabolic syndrome is a signal that someone could be on the road to serious health problems. Find out more about it in this article for teens.

• Food Journal

  A food journal can help us track our eating as well as see connections between our feelings and food.

• Emotional Eating

  We've all eaten a whole bag of chips out of boredom or while cramming for a big test. Learn more about emotional eating, and how to manage it, in this article for teens.

• Healthy Weight: Your Personal Plan

  Anyone who has tried to lose weight knows it can be a struggle. The best way to lose weight is to focus on making small, specific changes that are easy to stick with in the long run. Use our plan to get there!

• Weight Loss Surgery

  Weight loss surgery works. But it's serious stuff, both physically and emotionally. Find out about different weight loss surgery options for teens.

• Exercise Log

  Keeping an exercise log is a great way to stay motivated and reach exercise goals.

• Dealing With Feelings When You’re Overweight

  If a person is struggling with extra weight, it can add to the emotional ups and downs of being a teen. Get some tips on coping here.

• About Overweight and Obesity

  We use the words "oveweight" and "obese" a lot, but they actually have medical meanings. Find out how doctors diagnose these conditions and what they mean for a person's health.

• 5 Facts About Goal Setting

  Here are 5 practical tips on goal setting that can help make it easier to set and reach goals.

• Type 2 Diabetes: What Is It?

  Teens with type 2 diabetes and have to pay close attention to what they eat and do.

• What Can I Do About Overeating?

  See what the experts have to say.

• When Being Overweight Is a Health Problem

  A couple of pounds of extra body fat are not a health risk for most people. But when people are severely overweight, it can cause health problems.

• Body Mass Index (BMI)

  One of the biggest questions guys and girls have as they grow and develop is whether they're the right weight. One place to start is by learning about body mass index, or BMI.

• Cholesterol

  Cholesterol is a type of fat found in your blood. The body needs some cholesterol, but too much can be a problem. Discover more about cholesterol in this article for teens.

• How Can I Lose Weight Safely?

  Lots of people are unhappy with their present weight, but aren't sure how to change it - or even if they need to. Get the facts on weight loss here.

• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

  High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is more common in adults, but it can happen at any age. Learn what it is, how to prevent it, and how to treat it.

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

  In polycystic ovary syndrome, the ovaries produce higher than normal amounts of certain hormones, which can interfere with egg development and release. Learn how doctors diagnose and treat PCOS.

• Why Exercise Is Wise

  Getting the right amount of exercise can rev up your energy levels and even help you to feel better emotionally. Find out why.