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Teen Body Image a "Weighty" Issue

Teen Body Image

If you are a young female adolescent then at some point or another you have probably wondered whether or not you are overweight. Unfortunately thanks to media portrayals of waist thin actresses and peer pressure to look your best at all times, many young women fall prey to the belief that there is no such thing as 'too skinny' when it comes to their body image and self esteem.

Healthy Weight and Body Image
What exactly is the right weight for you? That depends on a number of factors. Forget about TV ads and magazine covers for just a moment and consider your personal health and well being. Did you know that a majority of teen females are actually a normal body weight? In fact studies show that a very small proportion of teen women are actually overweight.

How can you determine your overall health and well being? One tool you can use is the Body Mass Index (BMI). This tool computes your weight and height into a formula that determines your body mass index. A healthy BMI is much more important that the actual number on the scale. Generally the following guidelines apply:

• BMI between 19 and 24 = normal weight
  
• BMI between 25 and 29 = overweight
  
• BMI between 30 and 39 = obesity
  

• BMI over 39 = extreme obesity             
  

To determine your approximate BMI you can use the table provided below. Simply find your height in inches on the left of the sheet, and your corresponding body weight in the graph. The number at the top of the column will equal your approximate BMI.