Less Exercise Behind Teen ​Girl's Weight Gain

My 13-year-old daughter used to love soccer, but she’s losing interest in sports as she gets older. Should I push her back into sports to keep her active?

"You should definitely encourage her to be active, but team sports may not be her 'thing' anymore," says Jorge Velez, M.D., an Orthopedic Specialist at Kelsey-Seybold. "There are many ways she can stay active, and even moderate activity is beneficial. Can she walk to and from school, or ride her bike regularly? Is she interested in dance or cheerleading? A recent study from the National Institutes of Health showed that inactive girls between ages 9-19 were 10-15 pounds heavier than active girls. Helping your daughter develop good exercise habits will help her stay healthier the rest of her life."