TV shows, movies, and magazines show pictures of people who are thin. Does that mean being thin is the "right" size? Not necessarily - the "right size" is the weight that's healthiest for your body type and individual size.
If you are too thin, you may be eating less food than your body needs. Eating enough food is like putting fuel in a car - if you've ever ridden in a car that runs out of gas, you know what happens: it stops working! You need nutrition to grow, to feel good about yourself and your friends, and to do well in school and at play. Kids who are underweight may become sick more often than their friends. Your body cannot defend itself against germs as well if it is starving.
Overeating can cause problems, too. Weighing too much makes it difficult for your body to function well: it can be hard to keep up with your friends on the playground, for example. Kids who are overweight may not be getting the right nutrition either, especially if the food they eat has a lot of fat and calories. And being overweight may be linked to other health problems, such as breathing or sleep difficulties. And it's not always easy finding clothes that fit.
Being overweight or underweight can cause problems in school. For example, if your stomach is growling because you skipped breakfast, it's not easy to focus on what the teacher is saying. Or, if you eat too much junk food for lunch, you may find it difficult to stay awake. Read on to find out more about body size and kids.
What Makes Me Too Fat or Too Thin?Some people think that your weight is determined only by how much you eat. That's just part of it. Your weight is also affected by how much your parents and other relatives weigh (that's called genetics) and body type (do you have little bones or big bones?). Genetics even affects how many calories you need every day and your appetite for food.
Activity also affects your weight. Suppose you are inactive and spend most of your free time watching TV. Your body doesn't need or burn as many calories as it would if you played basketball, skated, or went for a walk instead.
But remember: people naturally are different shapes and sizes. Big kids and small kids both may be the right weight and height based on their genetics and body types. It's not "good" to be thin, or "bad" to be a certain weight, just like it's not good to be tall or bad to be short. It's just that being too thin or too fat is not healthy. So it's important to exercise and eat right to take care of your body.
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