There is no secret to successful weight loss. Despite ads to the contrary, no new fad diet or pill will "burn away" fat or bring about fast weight loss. The fact is, the only way to lose weight is to consistently eat fewer calories than your body needs and uses. This can be done by eating less food, doing more exercise, or both.

Among the many diets that may look attractive to teenagers are powdered drinks that act as meal substitutes, diets that focus on one food or a group of foods that are promoted as having almost "magical" properties that bring about weight loss, or pills that claim to have special weight loss ingredients.

The popularity of most fad diets is usually short-lived, and so is the weight loss associated with the diet. If teens stay on a restrictive diet over a long period of time, they may deprive their bodies of the well-balanced diet that is vital during the teen years when the body goes through dramatic change and growth. Also, depending on the ingredients, some pills promoted for weight loss can cause side effects such as nervousness, vomiting or insomnia, and can be addictive.

Unfortunately, even young children may feel the need to look slim and trim or may be pressured to go on diets or use diet products. Although there has been an increase in the number of overweight children in the population, restrictive diets are not the answer. As is true for people of any age, children should cut down on their intake of fatty foods and increase their physical activity in order to lose weight slowly and safely.

Parents of teenagers and children who are overweight should consult with their child's physician before allowing their child to go on any diet plan.

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