DR. WALLACE: My family tree is loaded with family members who suffer from diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Several of them are overweight and sedentary.

I also have a body shape that means that I would have a propensity to suffer in similar ways, but at 16 I decided to read up on these topics and do all I can to avoid their fates. I eat much better than they do and I exercise regularly.

So, over the last year I have felt much better about myself — until a new friend of mine at school told me that it will make no difference since my DNA has already been "stamped" and I'll have all of the same problems that my other family members are battling. Is this true? Is my situation hopeless? — Now Really Concerned, via email

NOW REALLY CONCERNED: Your "friend" does not sound like much of a friend to me. Instead of encouragement and a pat on the back, you seem to be receiving only comments designed to push you into a state of doom and gloom.

I'm going to break through that for you by telling you that your habits can and will absolutely make a huge difference in your life. Think about it this way: There are families that have an alcoholic or two within the family tree. But this most definitely does not mean that everyone in that family will become a full-blown alcoholic.

Keep pressing forward with your healthy lifestyle and perhaps consider finding a few new friends who are more likely to encourage you than to make you feel that your fate is set. No true friend would plant seeds of doubt about who you are today.

MY FRIEND IS A GOOD GIRL BUT SHE MADE ONE MISTAKE

DR. WALLACE: My best friend got into some trouble recently due to her desire to help out her boyfriend. He put her in a bad situation and she got into some trouble with the law. We girls have never been in any trouble ever before, and we've been "besties" for six years now.

Her boyfriend is going to go to prison over this matter, but she will only get a slap on the wrist since what she did was quite minor and she had no knowledge of what her then-boyfriend was really up to.

She does have a bit of a record now and she has probation for the next year. But she's a really good girl who just listened to the wrong guy and trusted him too much.

My problem currently is my father! He thinks my friend is a criminal and he wants me to "cut her loose," as he puts it. But I know she's a sweetheart who has learned a hard lesson that won't be repeated. What can I do to get my father to understand this? I don't want to lose my best friend! — She Deserves a Second Chance, via email

SHE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE: The fact that you girls have had a six-year friendship and are, in fact, best friends should weigh in both of your favors.

I trust your father has at least seen her and interacted with her a bit over the past six years. So, at this point I would address the issue head-on by bringing her over to your house to meet with your parents.

Ask her to explain in detail exactly what happened and why, and let your parents know that since she did not make a huge mistake and did not know the underlying problems her boyfriend had caused, she was let off with a much milder punishment.

Also have her be prepared to explain how she has learned her lesson and why she can promise you and your parents that it will never happen again. A face-to-face meeting is your best bet at this point in my opinion.

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.

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