DR. WALLACE: You are constantly telling overweight teens to lose weight by eating properly and exercising regularly. I'm 19 and overweight and I love every ounce of fat on my body. It was put there by tons of hot fudge sundaes smothered in rich whipped cream, covered with chopped walnuts and topped by a luscious cherry!

Why don't you tell overweight teens to enjoy eating luscious foods, including German chocolate cake on a plate next to a heaping mound of heavenly ice cream? At one time, being fat was a sign of wealth and beauty and I hope that someday it will return to that.

Be honest, how tall are you and how much do you weigh? Do you consider yourself one of us lucky fatties? — Fatty Hattie, Honolulu, Hawaii.

FATTY HATTIE: I encourage teens to eat nutritious, healthy foods and get proper exercise solely for health reasons. There's a direct link between excess weight and the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Being overweight also increases the probability of developing high blood pressure. These conditions lower the quality of one's life and are likely to shorten it.

For your information, I'm exactly 6 feet tall and weigh 175 pounds, though I confess, the weight fluctuates. I'm not immune to temptation! I must admit, your description of a hot fudge sundae and German chocolate cake next to a heaping mound of ice cream made my mouth water. When my weight sneaks to 180 pounds, though, I put the brakes on temptation by counting calories and I get back to 175!

YOUR STORY HAS A HAPPY ENDING

DR. WALLACE: I'd like to respond to the letter where the 17-year-old boy was saving for five years to buy a car, but his dad wouldn't let him buy one and you agreed with the dad. Shame on you!

If I were the boy, I'd pack my bags, buy a bus ticket to my nearest relative's house and take off. This would cause his father to give in and allow him to get his car because he would miss his son. — Kyle, Denver, Colo.

KYLE: Your little story has a happy ending, but what happens if the nearest relative doesn't want the boy or the father doesn't miss him, or both? You had better add another chapter to your mystery.

I agreed with his dad because the boy had poor school grades and hung around with guys who were school dropouts.

LET THE SCARS STAY

DR. WALLACE: I am a former drug addict and have been off the stuff for a year. My life has changed for the better. I have a part-time job, a neat girlfriend and I'm attending college.

When I was on drugs I took the needle and took it often. Because of this, I have needle marks that have left scars on my arms and wrists. I know people see them and that they know I was, or am, an addict.

The only way I can have them removed would be to have plastic surgery and I can't afford it. Can you offer any help? - Former Addict, Davenport, Iowa.

FORMER ADDICT: Why not turn a liability into an asset? Since there is nothing short of surgery to eliminate the scars, be proud of the fact that you had the desire and determination to quit the habit.

Let the scars stay on your arms, not in your mind. You are now a valuable member of society. It's only what you do in your future that's important!

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.