Exercising too much?

Q: My 14-year-old daughter runs or works out at least twice a day. Can this be bad for her?

A: As physicians try desperately to get children and youth to exercise more than just their thumbs, it is true that too much of anything is not healthy.

If this new workout ethic is related to a change in personality, an extreme change in eating habits and an obsession with body image and weight loss, a visit and discussion with your daughter’s doctor to rule out an eating disorder is appropriate.

If she truly wants to get in shape and get healthier, a session with a professional to guide her might be helpful. It would also be a nice idea to get the whole family to join her in some way.