Alarming statistics on the growing numbers of overweight and obese children and teens are getting the attention of school boards, parents, and public health officials. This story, reprinted from Youth Communication’s New Youth Connections magazine, is by teen writer Natelegé Whaley, who looks at programs aimed at helping teens stay healthy.

This article provides information specifically for teens on the reasons weight management is important and ways to determine what your ideal weight should be.

The Nemours Foundation site offers advice to teens on how to lose weight safely and effectively.

New research indicates that adolescence is crunch time in the nation's uphill battle against obesity and overweight. Children who enter adolescence overweight are very likely to remain that way into adulthood, and large numbers of kids become overweight in adolescence. Can PE help? George Graham, president of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, says yes.