When you are about to be a teen, there are all sorts of things happening in your life. You are just starting or are already experiencing the changes to your body caused by puberty, when your body starts to change from a child’s into an adult’s.

Some people start puberty before they are 10 years old, some set off around 12 to 13 years, and some are late starters. Whenever you start puberty, you can be certain that there will be changes in your height and weight.Some young people put on weight, then suddenly have a growth spurt and go skinny. Others seem to grow gradually and in proportion. Others take ages to get started and still look like little kids when everyone else is nearly grown up!It has a lot to do with your genes - what you inherit from your parents. It also has to do with the way you care for your body to keep it healthy. Thoughts and feelingsPuberty is not just about changes to your body - it is also about changes in thinking and feelings. Suddenly you may find yourself feeling shy or embarrassed with friends you have always known. You may find it hard to talk to your parents. You may feel envious of others. You may feel wildly happy one moment and really sad the next.If you are worried about this, put your mind at rest by going to have a chat with a doctor. They will ask some questions about your family, take some measurements of your height and weight, and be able to work out if you are the right weight for you. We are all different. People can weigh the same and look entirely different - so you can’t compare yourself with your friend.Most people would like to look good. But looking good doesn’t always mean that people are feeling good about themselves.  You don’t have to look good to be happy. Think about the people you like. Do you like them because they are really good looking? Or do you like them because they are kind, funny, good friends, care about you and all the other things that make someone a nice person to know?www.cyh.com