TEENS: The days when teens are treated like third-class customers are coming to an end. No longer are salespeople in malls and department stores turning their heads away from teen shoppers to wait on adults "who have more money to spend."

American teens spent $141 billion of their own money (from allowances, job earnings and other sources), and influenced the spending of over $400 billion beyond that, according to a recent report from the United States Census Bureau. Teenagers have long wielded power over family purchases, but only recently has corporate America awakened to this fact. But now, suddenly, manufacturers and retailers are strategizing frantically to satisfy teen consumers so they can cash in.

Female teens age 13 to 15 spent an average of $40.90 weekly, while the guys the same age spent $42.95. The figure for girls aged 16-19 jumped to $103.20 a week, compared to $94.50 for the guys. For all teen females, most of the money they spent was on — surprise, surprise — clothing, followed by food. The boys, meanwhile, spent most of their money on food, with entertainment (movies, sports, music, etc.) coming in second.

The U.S. teen population has surpassed 27 million and experts predict the growth in this age group to outpace overall population growth for the next 10 years. Marketers have set up research teams to find out what teens are thinking when it comes to spending. Some of these firms even pay teens themselves to report on what's hot at the moment. How's that for a dream job? After you determined what was hot, you could turn around and use your earnings to make it even hotter!

GIRLS, HIT THE WEIGHTS

Over the years there has been a popular assumption that since men who lifted weights developed big, bulky muscles, women who lifted weights would develop the same way. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Women have 10 percent more fat than men in their total body weight, which makes it physiologically impossible to build the same muscle masses as males, notes a leading teen magazine. Also, women don't produce the male sex hormone testosterone, which promotes muscle growth.

So though the myths persist, young women are learning to ignore them and are now taking to weight training in growing numbers.

Among the female athletes who have used weights are tennis players Margaret Court, Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King. "There was a feeling that women didn't want muscles, that it made them less feminine, but we overcame that idea," King said. "Weights give you definition instead of flab. They kept my mind and body together, eased tension, helped me feel better and get along with less sleep."

While lifting weights may add pounds to the frame, that doesn't mean fat. Experts stress that muscle is twice as dense as fat, so numbers can be deceptive.

Weight training is no longer taboo for women and female athletes feel their performances are improving because of it. And everyone agrees that "a well-toned body is much more attractive than one that's too skinny or fat."

So gals, if your boyfriend lifts weights, you no longer have to stay home and wait. Now you can join him!

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 rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. 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: Blondinrikard Fröberg