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Home Body Puberty Changes to your shape

Changes to your shape

During puberty, you will not only get taller, you will also see other changes in your body such as wider hips, thighs, and bottom. Your body, which has both muscle and fat, will also start to have more fat compared to muscle than it did before. This is normal and you should not be too concerned.

These changes in your body might make you uncomfortable because it is so different than what you are used to. You also might think you look strange, or feel shy about your body around other people. Many people feel self-conscious during this phase, but remember that everyone goes through it. It is really common to struggle with body image (how you feel about your body) – especially when there are many pictures of girls and women on television and in magazines with "perfect" bodies. Seeing these pictures may make you think there is something wrong with you if you are not as thin, but that is not true. Women and girls come in all shapes and sizes. The size of your body does not have anything to do with your value as a person. It’s important to have a healthy weight by having good eating habits and exercising regularly. Check out our sections on exercise and nutrition for tips.

Each young woman grows and changes at her own pace. Just remember that you are beautiful and that you are an individual.

Eating disorders

Sometimes, worries about your body can become all you think about. Such thoughts may be part of an eating disorder. Eating disorders are serious health problems. Two of the most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa (often called anorexia) involves starving yourself and extreme weight loss. Bulimia nervosa (often called bulimia) involves binge eating (eating a lot of food at once) and then getting rid of the food by throwing up, using a laxative (which makes you go to the bathroom), or doing too much exercise.

Content last updated June 18, 2008

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