How To Help Your Teen's Body Image by Charles Wibbelsman, MD Teenagers are highly conscious and critical of their own bodies. Many girls worry about being too fat, even when their weight is normal.
Many boys worry about being too short.
Too often as parents, we focus on what we don't like. Find something positive and let your teen know that you notice. Don't tease him or her about physical characteristics, especially about weight. Many parents mistake a girl's weight gain at puberty, necessary not only for feminine curves but also for normal menstrual cycles, for an inclination towards obesity. Examine your own feelings about your body.