DR. WALLACE: I have two sisters who are both a few years older than me, and they are constantly yelling at each other about food! One sister eats whatever she wants, including a lot of greasy and fast foods, and the other one is best described as a very serious health food nut. They constantly argue back and forth about whether it makes any difference what they eat at this point in their lives. The sister who eats all the junk food has the bigger body, but she looks relatively proportional and normal and the other sister has a more petite body, but she's not anorexic or anything like that.

I fall somewhere in the middle between these styles, as I'll have the occasional indulgence but eat mostly healthy food about 80% to 85% of the time. Do you think as teenagers it makes that much difference to our body styles what food we eat? — We All Look and Eat Differently, via email

WE ALL LOOK AND EAT DIFFERENTLY: I feel that what an individual consumes makes a difference anytime at any age. It doesn't always necessarily take effect right away, but over the longer run, nutrition and diet do play a big part in the role of our bodies and health attributes.

Each individual is of course different and may experience changes on different timetables. I feel the key is to find a food regimen that works for you and also allows you to enjoy a few indulgences here and there. Of the three styles you described, I feel yours is the most practical and logical to be maintained over the long run. And finally, don't forget that habits established early in life often stay intact far longer than ever planned for.

I'M WILLING TO SEE FOR MYSELF

DR. WALLACE: A good-looking guy at our high school has finally fixed his gaze on me. He recently asked me out, and I hesitated and didn't give him a direct answer. Three days later he reapproached me and asked me out again, this time with a slightly different approach and a few kinder and more heartfelt words. I told him I would think about it and let him know next Monday so that I would have more time to think about it over the weekend.

The reason for my hesitation is that he has a reputation for being both a charmer and a player when it comes to dating ladies. I'm a physically strong gymnast and can have a tough personality when necessary, so I actually do feel comfortable going on at least one date with him.

Other girls that I've spoken with mentioned that he has roving hands and is often too fresh for their liking. I'm not about to tolerate anything like that from him, so I'm wondering if I should say anything in advance to him, or simply let the date run free and be ready to defend myself if needed? — I'm Curious Enough to Accept His Offer, via email

I'M CURIOUS ENOUGH TO ACCEPT HIS OFFER: It certainly sounds like you can handle yourself both physically and mentally, so my advice would be to use your mental strength early on in the date with him. Simply tell him that you've heard rumors of his reputation but that you feel it's unfair to prejudge him in any way. Then let him know that as long as he treats you with the respect you deserve, you're interested in getting to know him a bit better.

That's literally all you need to say, and from there, of course, you must have a zero-tolerance policy for him acting out in any physically inappropriate manner toward you.

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.

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