Abstract:
Adolescence represents an essential stage in human development. Over this period the teenage body suffers drastic modifications and the usual changes in height and weight are perceived differently by teens. Many of them experience these changes negatively. Heavy emphasis is put on the physical aspect during this period, and for this reason increased preoccupation with the way the physical image changes begins to manifest. Now might appear the wish to be skinnier, strict weight-loss diets and thus teenagers begin to make use of exaggerated diets and stimulants that determine gains in muscle mass, and these may affect the health of the adolescent. Dissatisfaction with teens' own bodies, weight changes, restricting diets may strongly increase the risk of developing eating disorders.
