What You Should Know About Diet Aides And Certain Diet Tactics / Question
Published: February 12, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
i am a 15 year old male and i weigh about 70 kg about 170cm and im tired of looking fat and i skipped, played sport 2, 3 times a week and did crunches for about 6 7 weeks and there were no noticible changes. Im going to do about 40 dexies over about a week and take about 5, 6 everytime i get hungry. ive done them them before, can u please tell me wat the dangers are in doing this?
Signed: Dangers Of Dexies
Dear Dangers Of Dexies,
Taking diet pills or "dexies" as you called them can be problematic. Many over the counter diet pills can be dangerous to your health. For example, some diet products contain Ephedrine, which is an amphetamine like compound (stimulant) that has potential powerful effects on the central nervous system (CNS) and heart. Ephedrine can cause high blood pressure, irregularities in heart rate, insomnia, nervousness, tremors, headaches and seizures. Other diet pills have similar stimulants properties that can cause the same problems. Just because these pills are available "over the counter" does not mean they are harmless or safe.
TeenHealthFX is glad to hear that you have been exercising regularly. Good for you. Although you may not see results immediately, your hard work will pay off in time. If you are interested in losing weight, healthy eating and exercise is the way to go - dieting is not the way to go.
Your body is still growing which means that you should not take any unnecessary over the counter medications or medications that were not prescribed specifically for you. The best way to maintain a healthy weight is to eat healthy and to get regular exercise.
For more information on the risks associated with taking diet pills, have a look at our answer to Considering Diet Pills?.
If you are still concerned about your weight or how you look, discuss it with your doctor and he/she can evaluate you. A doctor can prescribe a diet and exercise plan best suited for your needs. Your doctor may also have you see a nutritionist (a medical person that specializes in weight loss). If you do not already have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center For Health in Morristown, New Jersey, you can call 973.971.6475 for an appointment.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Teens often abuse prescription drugs because of the myth that these drugs provide a medically safe high.
