A young teenager stepping on the scale to check her weight

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

The cornerstone of good health is a healthy weight. This is true for children, teenagers as well as adults. Excess weight at any age is considered a health risk.

Excess weight increases your risk for chronic life-threatening health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It can also shorten your lifespan. It is therefore imperative to manage your weight, keeping it within the healthy range, throughout your life.

Overweight teens not only have to live with health risks and the prospect of being obese in their adult years, but they also must deal with teasing from their peers and social isolation.

“Bullying related to excess weight can affect a vulnerable teenager’s body image and self-esteem for life,&rdquot; says Dr Sonali Ganguly, Consultant at the LIFE Centre, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group.

Whether you’re a teenager or a parent, read on to learn more tips on how teenagers can best manage their weight.


Visit Parent Hub, for more useful tips and guides to give your child a healthy start.


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