Q&A: My 14-year-old daughter says she's too fat and wants to diet.
I think she looks fine. What should I do?

"It's not uncommon for teenage girls to become body-conscious," says Dr. Debby Demory-Luce, a registered dietitian with the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center. She recommends that children who are concerned about their weight see their physician before considering dietary changes.

Unfortunately, normal weight adolescent girls can develop unrealistic ideas of how their bodies should look, which can lead to dissatisfaction. If this is the case, helping your daughter build self-confidence and a positive self-image will do the most for her happiness, health and personal development.

Even if your daughter is overweight, weight loss diets are generally not for growing children unless they are carefully supervised by a health care professional. Unsupervised dieting can jeopardize a child's intake of calories, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients needed for proper development.

Instead of dieting, it would be better for your daughter to focus on the other half of the energy equation--physical activity. Regular exercise not only helps burn calories, but can also improve your daughter's sense of well being.

Parents can also help teens by being good role models. Children are more likely to eat right and exercise regularly if their parents do, too.