Wipe out the word "dieting" from your vocabulary. Having a healthy diet is not the same as dieting. Having a healthy diet means eating nutritious foods that your body needs for good health, while eating less nutritious foods in moderation. Dieting means limiting your food intake, depriving your body of things you want to eat, and almost always thinking about and watching your weight. Skipping meals or following weird, unhealthy diets can actually keep you from getting the nutrients you need to grow as healthy as you could be. Trying to lose weight when your body is growing and changing isn't smart.

So what do you do if you think you are looking a little chunky? For starters, remember that your body was programmed for growth, not fashion. Some kids plump out before they shoot up. If you feel your weight is not right for you, talk to your parents or an adult you trust. Usually your height catches up with your weight, especially if you stick to a balanced, moderate eating plan and stay physically active.