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 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 the lucky fatties? —Fatty, Gary, Ind.

FATTY: My reason for encouraging all teens to eat nutritious healthy foods and to get proper exercise is for health reasons. There is a direct link between excess weight and the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Being overweight is also suspected of increasing the probability of developing high blood pressure. All of these serious ailments can affect the quality of life and even shorten it.

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, but I overcame the temptation.

For your information, I'm exactly 6 feet tall and weigh 180 pounds, but I do admit that I count calories if my weight "balloons" to 185 pounds. That usually happens when I consume too many hot fudge sundaes and German chocolate cake next to mounds of luscious ice cream!

WHAT PERCENTAGE OF ANOREXICS DIE FROM STARVATION?

DR. WALLACE: You have written several columns on the eating disorder anorexia. You say that some teens die from anorexia (self-starvation to look thin), but you never say the percentage of young women and men who become anorexic and the percentage of those who are anorexic that actually die from starving to death. I'd like to know because my best friend has been placed in a psychiatric hospital because she has been diagnosed as anorexic. —Penny, Seattle, Wash.

PENNY: When I need research, my best source of information is the librarian at the University of California at Irvine. This time I was directed to the "Guide to Anorexia and Bulimia" by Robert DiCuio, PhD. Dr. DiCuio estimates that one in 100 young women, and one in 2,000 young men between 13 and 18, will develop anorexia nervosa and that about 10 percent will die as a result of medical complications. Rarely can those who suffer from anorexia overcome this illness without the assistance of professionals.

ANY OFFICIAL AMERICAN FLAG CAN BE FLOWN

DR. WALLACE: We want to fly a flag in front of our house, but we have not seen a flag that has 50 stars. We do have one that has 48, but our neighbor has told us not to use it. What's the rule? —Nameless, Brunswick, Ga.

NAMELESS: Any American flag that was an official flag can be flown and that includes a flag with 48 stars. Fly it with pride. Our flag is the symbol of freedom and justice to all who see it.

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. Email 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.