DR. WALLACE: I'm responding to the 16-year-old girl who wanted to take diet pills because she felt she was overweight at 5 feet 6 inches tall and 118 pounds. I'm also 5 feet 6 inches tall, but I weigh 128 pounds and I just turned 17. Unlike this girl who wants to take diet pills, I am very happy just the way I am and I look very nice in my clothes. I think the trend to be super-thin is causing a lot of girls to become anorexic and unhealthy.

I also used to think that the only way to be cute and popular was to be super-thin. I knew my mom would never allow me to take diet pills, but I used to take laxatives and stick my finger down my throat to throw up after a meal and I got down to only 100 pounds. I thought I looked great, but I never really felt good and even though I was thin, I was miserable.

My mother was worried about me and helped me change my ways and now I am healthy and I eat a balanced diet and get plenty of exercise. My mom taught me how to respect my body and feel good about myself. I'm popular at school and am in several clubs. I was also elected treasurer of our 11th grade class. (And the girl I ran against was super slender.)

My advice to the girl who wrote is - Don't ever consider diet pills! A good diet, exercise, and a positive outlook do wonders for a healthy body and mind. — Madison, Jacksonville, Fla.

MADISON: Thanks for your encouraging letter — great advice!

I HAD THOUGHTS OF HAVING AN ABORTION

DR. WALLACE: I'm 19 and soon to be an unwed mother. The baby's father was on cocaine the night that I conceived. I no longer see this guy and I wouldn't know where to find him if I wanted to.

When I first found out I was pregnant, I had thoughts of having an abortion, but after talking with friends I decided not to. Now I'm glad I made that choice and I'm looking forward to being a mother. My parents have been supportive. My mother will take care of the baby when I start community college in September. My plans are to be an elementary school teacher.

My only concern is to deliver a healthy baby boy. (I know the baby's sex already). Is there any possibility the baby could suffer in any way because his father was high on cocaine the instant I became pregnant? I don't think so, but I want to make sure that I'm 100 percent correct. — Nameless, Oklahoma City, Okla.

NAMELESS: I double-checked with an obstetrician and he confirmed that the father's state of intoxication at conception would not affect the health of the fetus. A woman who uses alcohol, drugs or tobacco during pregnancy can put her unborn child at risk of premature delivery, low birth weight, and even miscarriage. Since you are committed to your child's well-being, I know this is behavior you will avoid.

I HAVE A FEW BLACKHEADS

DR. WALLACE: I know that pimples shouldn't be squeezed because this can cause infection and even eventual scarring. How about blackheads? Since the skin would not be broken when the blackhead is removed, is it safe to remove them? I have several large blackheads on my forehead and around my nose. This causes me to cover them up with makeup and I'm sure that's not the best thing to do. — Nameless, Michigan City, Ind.

NAMELESS: According to the late Dr. Alan Shalita who was chairman of the Dermatology Department at the State University of New York Health Science Center, carefully removing blackheads can make the skin look better without damage. However, he warned that when the removal is performed improperly, squeezing can cause a rupture below the skin surface, leading to inflammation.

To be perfectly safe, Dr. Shalita suggested that extraction should be performed only under the supervision of a dermatologist.

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.

Photo credit: Dean Hochman