Health Implications of Cosmetic Surgery, Makeovers, & Body Alterations (Young Adult's Guide to the Science of Health)

If you're like most people, you probably wish you could change at least one part of your body. Perhaps you think a makeover, a new you, will make all the difference in the world. Maybe you think that changing your looks will change your life. And if you believe the advertisements you see on television and in magazines, you might think it will be easy to achieve your beauty goals. But when it comes to makeovers, there's more to success than meets the eye. In this book, you'll learn about current trends in the makeover industry and the promises and risks that come with them. You'll also explore why we as a culture are so beauty-obsessed. Finally, you'll learn about the many options available that can help change the way you feel about yourself and others--not simply the way you look! "Do you need to lose a few pounds? Are you overweight--or are you just built differently from the "Barbie-doll" (or "Ken-doll") shape? Sometimes it's hard to tell. In a culture that insists we all have to be model-thin, it's hard to judge. Dieting is a big business that sells books, magazines, and food products. In the midst of so many conflicting messages, it can be hard to sort out fact from fiction. We all want to look our best--and at the same time, we all hate to deny ourselves our favorite foods! Healthy weight management is all about achieving the weight that's right for you--and this book will give you the facts you need to determine what is right for you. Your ideal weight will depend on many factors--your height, your body type, your gender, your age--but there are at least two common factors for successful weight management: regular exercise and a balanced diet. Forget "diets" and focus instead on a lifetime of healthy habits. In the long run, weight management is not about denying yourself. It's about providing your body with what it truly needs--and this book will tell you how."--Publisher's website Do you ever feel exhausted and drowsy, like you need more sleep? If you do, you're not alone. A recent study by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) found that 60 percent of people under the age of eighteen complained of daytime tiredness. Fifteen percent (one out of every seven) said they were so tired they fell asleep in school. You may think that not getting sufficient sleep is no big deal, but think again. According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep deprivation can put you at high risk for unintentional injury and death, low grades and poor school performance, negative moods, and increased likelihood of stimulant use. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration views driving drowsy as actually more dangerous, and more deadly, than driving drunk! What is sleep? Why do we need it? What causes sleep deprivation and how can it be avoided? What are its tragic results? This book answers these and other questions by using a readable blend of real-life accounts, easy-to-understand statistics, scientific data, and practical suggestions."--Publisher's website "Do you ever wish you were stronger ... thinner ... more athletic ... healthier? Most of us would change at least one thing about ourselves if we could. But real health and happiness aren't dependent on matching yourself against the unrealistic ideals of a model-thin body or a pumped-up body builder's bulging muscles. Instead, fitness and good nutrition are the two factors that can lead to physical and emotional health. When you were younger, your parents told you what to eat. They probably encouraged you to eat the foods that would provide you with the various nutrients you needed to grow. They may have also encouraged you to get regular exercise. But you're older now. You've begun to make your own decisions about what you eat and how active you are. Learning what your body needs to be healthy is an important part of becoming a responsible adult. Taking care of yourself makes sense if you want to be happy and enjoy life. This book will tell you how to be the best you can be!"--Publisher's website Title Page Contents Introduction Chapter 1: Will Everyone Who Likes Their Looks Please Stand Up? Chapter 2: The Beauty Trap: Being a Teen in North American Culture Chapter 3: More Than Skin Deep: Cosmetics, Tanning, Tattoos, and More Chapter 4: For Health or for Beauty: Makeover Risks in Diet and Exercise Chapter 5: Body Obsessions: Teens in Crisis Chapter 6: Extreme Makeover: The Dreams and the Risks Chapter 7: A Makeover from the Inside Out Further Reading For More Information Glossary Index Picture Credits Biographies Blank Page Examines current trends in the makeover industry; discusses the risks associated with cosmetics, piercing and tattooing, diet, exercise, and cosmetic surgery; and encourages young people to value their inner beauty Provides Teens With Information On Sexuality, Contraception, And The Life-changing Decisions Surrounding Pregnancy.