Ask the Doctor

I AM A 17-YEAR-OLD BOY OF HEIGHT 5'10". IS IT STILL POSSIBLE FOR ME TO GROW TALL? IF SO WHAT ARE THE BEST EXERCISES TO BOOST MY HEIGHT? I WANT TO ATTAIN A HEIGHT OF 6 FEET AT LEAST.

The height of any individual is decided at the time that person is conceived in his/her mother's womb. It is absolutely genetic. However, if the child's diet right from a young age is complete in nutrition and the child follows a good exercise or sport regime regularly, then he/she rest assured will reach the pre-determined height. If the diet is lacking in certain nutrients or the child has poor immunity and falls sick often and has a very sedentary lifestyle then it is possible that he/she may remain short. So Shravan, it is important to eat well and exercise but there is no way one can increase height with special foods or exercises.

I'M A 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL. MOST OF MY BODY IS FIT BUT THERE IS A BULGE BELOW MY BELLY WHICH LOOKS AWKWARD. HOW CAN I GET RID OF IT?

There is nothing like spot reduction. When you eat right and exercise regularly you can reduce fat from whereever there is fat in the body. In the reply given to Astha in this issue you will get your answer too. A bulge below the belly is an indication of lack of exercise. Eat good wholesome healthy food and ride a bicycle for 30 minutes; you will be able to get in shape.

MY HEIGHT IS 5’6" AND MY WEIGHT IS 69KG. I AM FAT BY BIRTH. I WANT TO INCREASE MY HEIGHT AS WELL AS REDUCE MY WEIGHT. COULD YOU GIVE ME A PROPER EXERCISE ROUTINE AND DIET PLAN?

I have mentioned about height increase in the answer given to Shravan earlier. Regarding weight loss; you are very young to be put on a weight loss diet as such. It may need compromising on some nutrients which will affect your growth as you are right now in a growth spurt period and also going through puberty. But do eat a wholesome meal twice a day like roti, vegetables and dal or pulses or curd or paneer or fish or chicken and have a protein-rich breakfast like egg with roti or wheat bread or poha or upma or a cereal with milk or a veg paratha (without frying) with curd. Also have 1-2 meals of fruits. When you eat nutritious meals 4-5 times a day you do not get tempted to eat junk food or food which is just for filling the stomach like wafers or aerated drinks, etc. This also keeps the metabolism (fat burning capacity of the body at rest) high. You also feel active and energetic all the time and thus you can exercise well. This directly and indirectly gets to lose excess body fat in a healthy way and also does not compromise on fitness. You can do any exercise like swimming, cycling, play games like tennis, etc. You can also go jogging if possible.

I AM A 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL. MY WEIGHT KEEPS INCREASING AND THERE IS A LOT OF FAT IN MY BODY. PEOPLE CALL ME ‘FATTY’. I KNOW I SHOULD NOT DIET SO I EXERCISE BUT TO NO EFFECT. PLEASE SUGGEST A SUITABLE DAILY DIET AND A LIST OF WHAT NOT TO EAT. ALSO SUGGEST SOME EXERCISES EXCEPT SWIMMING, CYCLING AND GOING TO THE GYM BECAUSE I CANNOT AVAIL OF ALL THOSE RIGHT NOW.

You seem to be sad because of your weight I suppose. Read the answers I have given to the previous queries on weight loss in this issue. You can go for a walk or jog daily for 45 minutes at any time convenient to you. Skip it once a week for the body to recover. Do not overdo it right from day one. Start with a light or just a brisk walk for the first week. Then increase the intensity slowly. Foods to be avoided are all fried foods, desserts and sweets, aerated drinks, milk shakes, papads and pickles. Very oily gravies also increase the fat content of your diet. Do not get upset about what people call you. You have many other assets in your personality which are far more superior to just having a good body. Get on with your walks, eat right and you will soon be very proud to be yourself. All the best and feel free to ask more questions whenever you like.

I AM 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL. I HAVE A LOT OF WHITE HAIR, WHICH HAS MADE MY HAIR DRY AND ROUGH. COULD YOU SUGGEST A NATURAL REMEDY TO TREAT THIS?

Please keep a check on what you eat. If you eat a lot of processed foods you can lack in nutrients which may be needed for hair. A decoction of dried amla, aritha seeds and shikakai soaked overnight in water and used for washing hair helps in treating white hair.

MY FACE IS EXCESSIVELY OILY WITH PORES, ESPECIALLY AROUND MY NOSE. RECENTLY I'VE HAD A LOT OF PIMPLE AND BLACKHEAD OUTBREAKS LEAVING BEHIND UGLY SCARS. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Pimples and acne are a result of hormonal activity. The skin should be kept very clean and you should wash your face frequently with a mild soap. Have plenty of water and fluids like coconut water and juices. Have seasonal fruits and vegetables to prevent constipation. Apply sandalwood paste with some gram flour mixed with milk for 20 minutes and wash with lukewarm water to keep the skin healthy.