The lives of teenage girls are tough enough. Add being overweight to a girl’s list of troubles, and life gets that much harder. According to a Seventeen magazine story, there are six secret reasons why teen girls pack on unwanted pounds.
Lack of sleep: Exhausted people rarely feel like exercising nor do they have the energy to seek out healthy food options. When you’re sleep-deprived, you’re more likely to grab unhealthy food or visit the nearest candy machine. So, be sure to get eight solid hours of sleep each night, exercise a little every day, and switch to decaf after 4 p.m. Pulling an all-nighter to study for your history exam in hopes of earning an “A” might seem like a good idea, but health-wise, you’ll get an F!
Skipping breakfast: What? How could eating less make you gain weight? Actually, eating a healthy meal before starting your busy day jumpstarts your metabolism. Breakfast-eaters feel less hungry during the day, and are less likely to resort to chips, candy and other empty-calorie items for energy. Grab some whole-grain toast, fruit or yogurt as you’re running out the door.
These are just two of Seventeen’s secret reasons teen girls struggle with their weight. To read the other four, don’t miss this slide show.