Weight and eating problems — young people

This script is for young people concerned about their weight or body image.

People come in all different shapes and sizes, and your weight and body shape will continually change as you grow. It's particularly important to have a varied, healthy diet to ensure that your body develops properly during your young and teenage years.

Sensible eating is always better than dieting. If you lose a lot of weight suddenly you are more likely to put it all on again. To control your weight, eat a balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables; bread and pasta are also good for you but try to cut down on fatty and sugary foods.

Taking regular exercise can really help to keep your weight balanced, why not try walking to school or take up swimming which is an excellent way to stay fit and healthy as well.

If your weight is causing you problems and making you unhappy you can talk to your doctor or the nurse at the surgery, they can help you work out a healthy eating plan.

And here are some organisations that can help.

Beat (previously The Eating Disorders Association) provides advice and support for anyone with an eating disorder. Call the Beat Youthline (local rate number) 0845 634 7650 Mondays to Fridays 4.30pm-8.30pm, Saturdays 1pm-4.30pm). The Youthline TEXT service on 07786 20 18 20 will get back to you within 24 hours, longer at weekends. If you prefer to email, the Youthline email service is fyp@b-eat.co.uk. Check out their website at www.b-eat.co.uk.

NHS Direct have lots of useful information on healthy eating on their website www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk.

If you're having problems with bullying, the website Bullying Online UK contains lots of helpful information on all sorts of bullying including dealing with bullies who taunt others by using text messages. Go to www.bullying.co.uk. Sometimes bullying can make you feel very unhappy and upset and that life isn't worth living, but you will come through it. You can email at any time to help@bullying.co.uk.

Young Minds offers information and support to young people and their parents on a range of mental health issues. They have some helpful booklets especially for young people on subjects such as self-injury, depression, sexual abuse, bullying and eating disorders. You can find these leaflets and other information on their website at www.youngminds.org.uk. You can also write to them for free copies with a stamped self-addressed envelope stating the subject you require information on to: Young Minds, 102-108 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1M 5SA.

You can get details of advice and counselling services for young people in your area by contacting Youth Access on 0208 772 9900. They're available on weekdays 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. Or got to www.youthaccess.org.uk for an extensive directory of counselling services for young people.

If you're a young person ChildLine provides free and confidential counselling for anyone up to the age of 18. The free helpline is open 24 hours a day, every day on 0800 11 11. If you have difficulty in hearing or in using a regular phone try the textphone service on 0800 400 222. ChildLine phone lines can be very busy but do keep trying and you will get through. More information is on the website www.childline.org.uk or you can write to them at ChildLine, Freepost NATN 1111, London E1 6BR.

The 4Health website has lots of information about body image and weight problems at www.channel4.com/health

This message has been prepared and is updated regularly by New Media at Channel 4.

Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of third party sites.