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| Changes to your shape |
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During puberty, you will
not only get taller, you will also see other changes
in your body such as wider hips, bottoms, and
thighs. Your body, which has both muscle and fat,
will also start to have more fat compared to muscle
than it did before. This
is normal and you should not be too concerned. These changes in your body
might make you uncomfortable because it is so
different than what you are used to. You also
might think you look strange, or feel shy about
your body around other people. It’s important
to remember that many people feel self-conscious
during this awkward phase. It is really common
to struggle with body image (how you feel about
your body) – especially when there are
many pictures of girls and women on television
and in magazines with bodies that are impossibly
thin. Seeing these pictures may make you think
there is something wrong with you if you are
not as thin, but that is not true. The size
of your body does not have anything to do with
your value as a person. It’s important
to have a healthy weight by having good eating
habits and exercising regularly. Check out our
sections on exercise and nutrition for tips.
Each young woman grows and changes at her own
pace. Just remember that you are beautiful and
that you are an individual. |
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Eating disorders
Sometimes, worries about your body can go too
far and lead to eating disorders. Eating disorders
are serious health problems that are based on
extreme and dangerous steps people take to lose
weight. Two of the most common eating disorders
are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia
nervosa (often called anorexia) involves starving
yourself and extreme weight loss. Bulimia nervosa
(often called bulimia) involves binge eating
(eating a lot of food at once) and then getting
rid of the food by throwing up, using a laxative
(which makes you go to the bathroom), or doing
too much exercise. |
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