Easy to Follow Fitness and Nutrition Tips for Teens

Although teens may be concerned about many things, this often may not include their health. The truth is, teen health can make a big impact on future health. Drug and/or alcohol abuse, obesity, unprotected sex, and other teen health issues can have serious repercussions on down the road. Starting good habits now and taking a proactive approach to teenage wellness is often enough to reduce risks of serious complications and decrease risk of disease. If you are a teen, or parent of one there are a few fitness and nutrition tips for teens that can make a difference.

Exercise and proper nutrition is crucial to teen health. Maintaining a vigorous regime however, is not recommended. Teenage wellness can easily be promoted simply by being involved in sports and/or outdoor activities that get them up and moving. While having an exercise plan never hurts, teens should not take their workout to an extreme. Staying well hydrated, not overdoing it, and stretching prior to a workout can be a good way to start.

For optimum teen health, eating well is equally important. Restriction of certain foods is not necessary for this, rather moderation should be practiced. Learning to read food labels and understanding the values is one of the best fitness and nutrition tips for teens.

Teenage wellness should not revolve around maintaining next to impossible beauty standards. Being under weight can be just as serious as being over weight. This should be kept in perspective when considering teenage wellness. Height and weight charts have been designed to give the teen a generally idea of how much they should weight and can be found at the Center for Disease Control's website, www.cdc.gov. Keep in mind though, this is only a general idea. Muscle weighs more than fat and this should only serve as a guideline.

Teenage wellness should also focus on more than weight control. Reproductive health, oral hygiene, and regular checkups are very important as teens are still growing. There are various immunizations available that can promote teen health and are totally optional. It is also worth noting that there can be risks associated with these and that only a physician and/or can determine if the teen may benefit.

Teen health is just as important as child and adult health. Teenagers that practice healthy habits are not only in better shape but may benefit from good self esteem, better grades, a positive self image, and ultimately better health. In addition to providing height and weight charts, the CDC offers multiple fitness and nutrition tips for teens that can be incorporated into daily activities.