Many adolescent girls try to control their weight in ways that may leave them deficient in calcium, iron and other essential nutrients.
![Dieting girls short on vital nutrients Dieting girls short on vital nutrients](https://drop.ndtv.com/images/story-noimage.png?q=50)
It's true that obesity is an increasing problem, but diets, like the ones many of the girls in the study turned to, are not the answer. Instead, children and teens, like adults, need to learn to follow a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and plenty of fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. And an important way for them to learn this is from parents setting an example by eating well and exercising.If a child is overweight, it should not be repeatedly reinforced. Rather, parents need to support the child by buying healthy foods and encouraging physical activity. Though it may seem useless, telling kids that they need nutrients like calcium and iron for long-term health may also help.
The findings for boys painted a much more puzzling picture. Nearly one third said they'd tried to control their weight in an unhealthy manner, but these boys did not show the nutritional consequences that girls did. In fact, they had the highest fruit intake of all the boys in the study. In general, boys trying to control their weight, whether through healthy or unhealthy means, had higher-quality diets.
June 2004
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