ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the drawbacks of going on a diet. It gives sound advice for young people who have weight concerns and then takes a look at the pros and cons of many common dieting regimes to see if they are worth looking into or best avoided. Young people can improve their health, appearance and their happiness by improving the balance of their diet, harnessing their inbuilt eating control mechanisms and by developing a sense of inner pride because this unlocks self-control. Most studies have found that people struggle to maintain more than a 10% reduction of their starting weight for any length of time, so it is best to have a series of smaller goals that can be gradually built on if early goals are successful. The Top Teen Health Plan outlines healthy lifestyle changes that can gradually improve body mass index and reduce the chance of obesity without needing to go on a diet.
