The doctor can provide realistic expectations about a teen's weight, and be on the alert for signs of eating disorders, which are an increasingly common problem among adolescent girls. A doctor can discuss with a young patient guidelines about what is safe and effective. Supplements that build muscle mass have become the rage among weightlifters and other young athletes. However, a doctor should stress to young people that they can build lean muscle mass more naturally through safe and supervised exercise, and through good diet. Regular teen checkups are important for mental as well as physical reasons.
Emotional changes can be dramatic during adolescence.
Many teens describe puberty as being on a roller coaster of emotions. They can be happy one moment, and sad the next. Mood swings are fairly common, but unfortunately depression has become a major problem among young people in our high-stress society. Teen suicide rates have tripled in past years. Screening for depression, recognizing it and addressing it might help to lower these high rates.