Healthy Ways Of Losing And Gaining Weight / Question
Published: November 4, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Please reply to this question, I am being honest I have asked many questions that go unposted on this site please answer this question, it is extremely important If you exercise more and burn more calories do you need to eat more then the recommended daily intake of 2800 calories?
Signed: Burn More Calories Then You Eat
Dear Burn More Calories Then You Eat,
FX is sorry that some of your questions have gone unposted- we get a large volume of mail and sometimes questions take a little while to be answered.
In general, your body needs more calories if you are burning them off by exercising. You need something to use as fuel when you partake in physical activity. And, in a lot of cases, your body will actually let you know that it needs more calories by sending you signals such as hunger pains. If you do not take in more calories than you burn off when exercising, you could begin feeling tired and worn out when you try to keep exercising and might end up losing weight as well.
FX is interested in why you ask this question and why getting an answer is
"extremely important." Remember that during your teenage years your body is doing most of its growing and maturing, and it needs ample vitamins, proteins and nutrients develop to its full potential. Eating healthy and getting appropriate exercise at this time in your life is really important and you should not be dieting or trying to lose weight unless you are directed to do so by a physician.
If you are concerned that you are not getting enough calories to fuel your exercise schedule, perhaps you want to talk to your family physician, school nurse, or a dietician for some advice about what foods to eat that will enable you to perform your best. In addition, one of these people might be able to estimate how many calories you are burning by exercising and help you pick out some sensible meal options that can keep you healthy and able to exercise fully.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Teens whose parents talk to them regularly about the dangers of drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those whose parents don’t, yet only 1 in 4 teens report having these conversations. 
