Spot Reducing & Increasing / Question
Published: February 12, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Is there a way to spot reduce in the face area? I feel and look fat after losing weight, I am 13, almost 14, and I was 146 lbs came down to 111 as of now. I am almost 5'2 and I don't know what to do I just feel my face and my stomach is really fat still. Could you please tell me if theres ways to spot reduce, thank you very much.
Signed: Spot Reduce Face Area
Dear Spot Reduce Face Area,
Wow, losing 35 pounds at your age is pretty significant for your developing body, so TeenHealthFX hopes that you were able to lose weight with a responsible program of healthy eating and exercise. As far as TeenHealthFX knows, there is no way to spot reducing the facial area.
It sure sounds to us like you have lost enough at this point. It is really important to realize that although you have some control of your weight and your body shape, including your face and your stomach - it is also influenced by your genetic background. To a certain extent you get your features from your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. Sometimes no matter how much you diet and exercise certain things about your body may not change as much as you would like.
Again, to have the healthiest and strongest body possible, you need to eat healthy and exercise responsibly. This may not lead to the current "ideal" of thinness but a unique, healthy you.
Lastly, TeenHealthFX would like to point out that it is probably safe to say just about everyone has something about them they would like to change. You are not alone in having parts of your appearance that you might like to be different. But, rather than focusing on them as negative, if you try to appreciate who you are a whole person - inside and out - and see your differences as the things that make you, well, you, you may find that it is a whole lot easier to be happy with how you look and feel.
If you continue to be concerned about your face and stomach, TeenHealthFX recommends that you talk with your doctor and an adult you trust, like a parent about your feelings and concerns about your weight. They can help guide you to the help you need to feel better about yourself.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
The teen pregnancy rate in the United States is the highest of any industrialized democracy, nearly twice that of Great Britain and 10 times that of Japan. 
