Eating well and being active helps us feel positive, strong, and energetic. You might assume that skinny people are automatically healthy people, but the truth is that our body weight is influenced by a number of things like our height, muscle mass, bone structure, and body fat. So judging your health by your weight can be inaccurate.

Eating well means choosing a balanced healthy diet, avoiding high fat and sugary foods, and eating in moderation. There are a lot of diets that claim to help you lose weight. However, permanent weight loss usually results from eating a well-balanced diet and regular exercise, rather than following a special diet that claims fast weight loss.

If you are finding it hard to eat well and be active, it may be a good idea to talk with your doctor, a dietitian or a nutritionist who can help you develop a diet and exercise routine that works for you.

For more information on healthy eating habits and staying fit, check out the Teen “Food and Fitness” section of this website: http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness.


Acknowledgement: This fact sheet was originally developed by youth and staff at ReachOut.com, a website that helps teens get through tough times.  

Special Thanks:
CAPT Donnie Lee, MD, Indian Health Service
Portland Area Diabetes Consultant Acting Director Office of Clinical Support