Health Letter

Dear Fatima,
        I've read about your struggle with your body image, and how you try so hard to attain the "perfect" skinny look. Your friends said that you have been putting on some pounds. Just to let you know, no one is perfect! The image of beauty is heavily distorted, but true beauty happens when you feel perfectly happy with yourself. Plus, since you are going through puberty at that age, it's normal that your body is changing; it's just you growing into an adult! If you don't take care of your body, it would only hurt you in the long run. By becoming so skinny, you become less confident with your body, since you've started avoiding your friends, and that your hair is thinning! I've also read that you recently lost your grandmother, and that you are now losing even more weight. This is because of depression; you're eating out because you miss your grandmother. It's hard to lose someone/something you love (trust me, I've been there) but the only way to cope with it is to move on. What would your grandmother feel if she saw you starving yourself? It would break her heart.
        I encourage you to eat more, and if you still want to be skinny, at least eat the right foods! Dieting doesn't mean you just stop eating; you only eat specific foods and avoid other foods, and also exercise! That is the right way to lose weight. So please Fatima, stop starving yourself! Move on from your grandmother's death, because although she is no longer by your side, she will always remain in your heart. Being healthy is important; do it right!
       
         Sincerely,
         Khanh Linh