Each week, we select an issue that was submitted by a SmartGirl and post it as an Advice Poll. These are the results from one of our polls.
A SmartGirl submitted the following issue:
I Want To Be Super Skinny
Health
All of my friends are super skinny and probably underweight. I know I'm healthy, but I am on the chubby side. I want to be thin, too! What should I do?
bunny, age 12
SmartGirls voted on the following options:
This chart shows how SmartGirls voted in the poll:
The majority of SmartGirls voted that bunny should learn to love herself just the way she is.
These SmartGirls had more to say:
What do you do to be your best self? What's your favorite outfit for your body? Who is your fashion role model? What is your favorite way to exercise? What's your experience with dieting?
Thanks to all of you who gave your advice! Please give your advice for this week's issue.
We hope that by sharing these issues and SmartGirls' responses to them, we will help you think through your own issues and prepare for the future. In the end, it's your decision, so make the choice that's right for you! Good luck!
The advice represented on this page is the opinion of SmartGirl users who have responded to last week's Issue of the Week. It is not the opinion of SmartGirl.org or the University of Michigan.
Reading the Bar Graph:
To read the bar graph, match the height of each bar with the number on the left (y-axis). That's the number of people who chose that category. You can find the name of the category listed below each bar (x-axis). The title of the bar graph is the same as the title of the issue.
abby, age 13, says:
Dieting could lead to anorexia. Just be happy with who you are. I've been in the same situation as you, but have learned to love me :)
stevie, age 16, says:
Why would you want to change yourself? You are you-nique. But i do understand. It's hard, and you want to fit in. I suggest you cheat at exercising. Take the stairs instead of the lift, walk to school instead of drive; there! Hope I've helped :)
ashle says:
If you are healthy, don't worry too much about how you look. Those are going to be the girls who suffer from anorexia (if you don't know what it is, it's basically you're too skinny and have a disease. Look it up.) Be true to who you are. I have friends who say they are too fat, but if you look at them, they are really skinny compared to me, and I'm skinny. Be yourself. Have self esteem.
GG, age 12, says:
If you're healthy, be okay with yourself! Investigate your friends. They could be anorexic or bulemic, which is BAD.
Hamy, age 16, says:
In order for others to love you, you have to love yourself. Enjoy the body that God gave you.
Awesome chick says:
Your friends are probably unhealthy because they don't weigh much. My suggestion is you tell them this and then the situation will be turned around and they will want to weigh more.
Evil, age 23, says:
Wow. You are 12 and worried about how you look. If you think you're a bit chubby, perhaps do some sports or jog around your street or park? Cut out junk food like KFC, McDonalds, etc, and home junk food like biscuits and chips. If the school doesn't serve healthy food, try not having so much of the unhealthy food and more salad on your plate. Oh, and drink plenty of water! It keeps you hydrated, and keeps your skin from drying out, and cleans out toxins. No CocaCola! Soft drinks/juice are not too good because of the sugar. All of these things once in a while are fine, but if they become part of your eating habit, they can affect your health.
My sister was on the chubby side for most of her high school years until she was 16 and started to exercise. She became obsessed with weight and still wants to lose weight and look super skinny and have like no fat at all anywhere. She is borderline underweight already. I don't know what to do. She wants to be thin, but not everyone has the genes of a super thin person, like her boyfriend. There are some things in life you can't have, and you need to understand that this is how you were made.
By the way, I recommend seeing a doctor. It may just be a hormone thing with your weight, or what you eat. But you are only 12, and it really doesn't matter. You're a child at heart. I wish I had a better childhood. I recommend keeping it as long as you can. No need to feel like you need to grow up faster.
Cozzette, age 15, says:
Be as happy as you possibly can be in your own skin. If you seriously feel the need to adjust your weight, talk to a dietitian expert who can give you their input and decide what you can do.
Hannah23, age 15, says:
You must first love yourself for being who you are. Be comfortable with your imperfections. Next, educate yourself to the latest inventions of supplements that will make you sexy. And, of course, diet. Don't worry. You're just 12 now. That's only baby fat for now. When you grow older and older, you become more thin and sexy. Good luck!
Me<3, age 12, says:
Believe me, I know what that's like. It's OK. Just find clothes for your body and love yourself the way you are.
Maria, age 17, says:
Honey! You are 12! Enjoy your childhood while it lasts! Don't worry about silly things like that. Just look in the mirror and notice all the wonderful things about you. Go out and play with your friends. Eat vegetables and fruits and play sports and be active. Go have fun! And don't worry about being skinny. It is about being happy and healthy!
lyss, age 12, says:
I have a friend that thinks the same thing. Even though she doesn't say it, I know. My advice is to try to eat foods that are good for you. DON'T DIET!!!
Jolane, age 12, says:
I feel the EXACT same way! You must be my twin, haha! What I would do is just stay as you are. If you are underweight, you can get sick easily, and sometimes it is just not good for your health!
K, age 20, says:
I remember thinking the same thing when I was your age. I struggled, but as I got older I realized that my body was different. Be happy with who you are. And if you want to change your body, always do it with health in mind, not looks. Join an intense sport, like rowing or soccer. You meet new people, have fun, feel great... and your body gets toned.
Hannah, age 13, says:
You could eat just right and do vigorous shopping days. Shopping CAN be a workout! :D
pippi, age 12, says:
I know how you feel. I get so insecure about my body. It's good to know I'm not the only one who feels like this.
anonymous, age 14, says:
A lot of girls want to be stick thing, but it's fine not to be, too. There are so many beautiful girls who may not be the slightest bit skinny. I am a girl who si very skinny, but it is not because I am unhealthy. I have a high metabolism (I digest food quickly). I know a lot of people who wish they were as skinny as me and always say they are overweight when they aren't. They say they are fat, and they have said it so much that it sticks in their head. They are embarrassed to wear shorts or a bathing suit. DON'T GET LIKE THAT! I know this isn't what you want to hear, but you really should love yourself just like so many people love you: for who you are. If you insist on losig weight, exercising is a great way to (even just a job around the neighborhood each morning), as well as eating healthy and in moderation. Dieting is not unhealthy as long as you're not starving yourself. All of the other ideas are good ones, too.
Sparrow, age 12, says:
Can all of the above be an option? I really understand how you feel, and yes, that can't be exactly fun. Try these two: self-love and shopping. Dieting rarely works, and you would notice if they were underweight. They would act unhealthy and weak. Hope this helps!
Molly, age 9, says:
You need to diet.