ME & Relationships / Question
Published: January 17, 2001
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I'm 14 and I'm the only person I know who has never had a boyfriend. I'm a little over weight and I've been told that may be the reason why. Boys rarely look past my overweight exterior to get to know me and the few that have are just friends. I am sick of being the "single girl" in my group of friends. What should I do?
Signed: Anonymous Me
Dear Anonymous Me,
TeenHealthFX hears how frustrating it can be to feel like you are being judged on your exterior. It is especially hard when your group of friends is all dating. But remember, no one needs to have a boyfriend. It sounds as if you are feeling a lot of pressure from yourself to have a boyfriend just to have a boyfriend. That is not fair to you!
You want someone to like you just for you - the best place to start is for you to like yourself. The answer to Modeling and Low Self Esteem has suggestions for how to build your confidence and feelings of self worth.
Having a relationship with someone cannot be forced. If guys cannot seem to see past your overweight exterior right now then wait. Develop your own talents and interests and you will see that happiness can come from within.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
While 93% of teenage women report that their first intercourse was voluntary, one-quarter of these young women report that it was unwanted. 
